Police officer to face charge of causing death by dangerous driving after mum died in collision

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer is to appear in court tomorrow (March 11) to face a charge of causing death by dangerous driving,

PC Mark Burrows, 45, is due to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court.

The charge is related to the death of mother Heather Smedley who was killed in a fatal collision on December 23, 2022, and follows an investigation by the Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

Mrs Smedley died at the scene of the crash in Oldham Road, Royton. GMP officers had been chasing a stolen car before colliding with her vehicle.

In a statement, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: "Shortly after 10am, an unmarked police car being driven by the officer, had been in pursuit of an Audi A3 that officers believed to be stolen, and collided with a Peugeot 108 at the junction of Oldham Road and Otmoor Way.

"Paramedics and an air ambulance attended and treated the driver of the Peugeot, Heather Smedley, 53, for her injuries. She was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"We began our investigation after receiving a mandatory referral from GMP in December 2022. At the end of our investigation in October 2023 we sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration of any potential criminal offence.

"The CPS subsequently authorised the charge last month."

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, of GMP, said: “We are aware of the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to charge an officer from our Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit with death by dangerous driving.

“We have cooperated with the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s investigation throughout. The officer continues to receive the support of GMP and the GMP Federation.”