A police officer who crashed into a woman’s car while pursuing a suspected stolen vehicle has been charged with causing her death by dangerous driving.
The unmarked police car was pursuing an Audi A3 that was suspected to have been stolen when it crashed into a Peugeot 108 in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
The Peugeot’s driver, 53-year-old Heather Smedley, died at the scene, at the junction of Oldham Road and Otmoor Way on December 23, 2022.
PC Mark Burrows has been charged with causing her death by dangerous driving following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The watchdog said the 45-year-old officer, who serves with Greater Manchester Police, is due to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The IOPC said its investigation, which began following a referral from the force in December 2022, ended in October 2023.
It said a file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of any potential criminal offence, and the CPS authorised the charge in February this year.
The collision happened shortly after 10am and mother-of-three Mrs Smedley was treated at the scene for her injuries but died.
A police driver who crashed into a woman’s car while pursuing a suspected stolen vehicle has been charged with causing her death by dangerous driving. The Peugeot’s driver, 53-year-old Heather Smedley, died at the scene, at the junction of Oldham Road and Otmoor Way on December 23 2022
The unmarked police car being driven by the officer was pursuing an Audi A3 that was suspected to have been stolen when the police car crashed into a Peugeot 108 in Oldham, Greater Manchester
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said an unmarked police car and a ‘car driven by a member of the public’ crashed.
The IOPC said Heather suffered ‘serious injuries…and died in hospital’, and confirmed she was not in the vehicle police were pursuing.
After her death, Mrs Smedley’s family paid tribute, in a statement released by Greater Manchester Police.
They said: ‘To the most wonderful mother to Benjamin, Olivia and Jamie, daughter to Hilda and Fred, sister, friend, and wife to Damian.
‘The world was a much better place with you in it. Our mum was the most kind, gentle, beautiful soul inside and out.
The collision happened shortly after 10am and mother-of-three Mrs Smedley was treated at the scene for her injuries but died
‘She faced all of life’s challenges with her beautiful smile, and her bravery and courage never wavered.
‘We could not have asked for a better role model growing up, giving everything she had to all of those she loved, and always supporting those around her.
‘She was the glue that held our family together. Her resilience and kindness inspired us all to be better. She had the greatest sense of humour and contagious laugh that we will miss every single day.
‘You were too good for this world Mum, there will be a hole in our hearts forever. Heather’s family have asked for privacy while they grieve for their loss.’
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