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 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 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.
After her death, Mrs Smedley’s family paid tribute, in a statement released by Greater Manchester Police, to “the most kind, gentle, beautiful soul inside and out”.
