Court Fatal crash cop was driving at 93mph

A POLICE officer pursuing a motorist in an unmarked car reached speeds of 93mph shortly before a fatal crash, a court heard.

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Matthew Pike, 40, was following a white Volkswagen Tiguan driven by a man named Lewis Griffin through Bristol city centre shortly before midnight on November 4, 2021.

The pursuit ended when Mr Griffin's car collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Dr Keryl Johnson, 35, Bristol Crown Court was told.

Dr Johnson was badly injured in the crash at Newfoundland Circus and died several days later in hospital.

PC Pike was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.

Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, told the court that although Mr Griffin's driving was the “primary and immediate cause” of Dr Johnson’s death, Pike's driving ‘was also “dangerous and contributed too, and so in terms of law, caused her death”.

The court heard that Pike, who was driving a BMW, was trained to the most advanced level for police driving, and had received all relevant refresher training.