Police officer charged after mum died in crash
A police officer has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a mum was killed when her vehicle was hit by an unmarked police car.
Heather Smedley, 53 died after the police vehicle - which was chasing a suspected stolen car in Royton, Oldham on 23 December 2022 - collided with her Peugeot 108.
Police constable Mark Burrows of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has been charged after the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The 45-year-old is set to appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
An IOPC spokesperson said Mr Burrows had been pursuing what was believed to be a stolen Audi at about 10:00 GMT in the unmarked police car.
During the chase, the police car collided with a Peugeot 108 being driven by Ms Smedley at the junction of Oldham Road and Otmoor Way.
The mother-of-three died at the scene despite the treatment from paramedics and the arrival of an air ambulance.
After her death, Mrs Smedley's family paid tribute, in a statement released by GMP, to "the most kind, gentle, beautiful soul inside and out".
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.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Greater Manchester Police
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Boy, 16, killed in hit and run crash named locally
A teenage pedestrian who was killed in a hit and run crash in Sheffield has been named locally. Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy, 16, was struck by a grey Audi which is believed to have been driven towards three electric bikes on Staniforth Road in Darnall on Wednesday afternoon. One of the e-bike riders, an 18-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday. Residents and local councillors have now paid tribute to the boy, who "always gave the best smiles", and said his death as he walked along the pavement behind the e-bikes had shocked the community. Three people, a 45-year-old woman and two men aged 26 and 46, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in custody. Abdullah was described as an "innocent bystander" to the incident by South Yorkshire Police. The car did not stop at the scene. Mrs Khan, who has been living in the area for eight years, said the teenager used to work at Shansha Red Shop on Staniforth Road and serve her ice cream. "He was a good lad, reserved, not talkative but always gives good smiles," she said. "It's so sad. I couldn't sleep, especially knowing him, that upsets me really. "He was such a young boy." Darnall Labour councillor Mary Lea said: "I can speak for myself and my colleague, councillor Zahira Naz, and say we were shocked when we heard about this incident. "My first thoughts were of the family and the boy who lost his life and the tragedy of it all. "Our hearts go out to this young man's family at this time; and we can only imagine their grief and pain. We are thinking about them and they [are] in our prayers." South Yorkshire Police said the boy's family had been informed and was being supported by officers. Abdullah's name and photograph were shared by the South Yorkshire Janazah Announcements Facebook page, which provides information about Muslim funerals and burials, on Friday morning. The post read: "Abdullah, known locally as Abdul, was a beloved member of the Al-Shafeey Centre mosque. "He was reportedly walking to a nearby shop to meet his father, with plans to eat together, when the tragic accident occurred. "May Allah grant him the highest ranks of Jannah and grant his family and friends strength and patience during this unimaginable time." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Murder arrest after boy, 16, dies in crash Hunt for driver after boy, 16, dies in hit-and-run South Yorkshire Police
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Two men arrested after digger stolen from building site
Police have arrested two men after a digger was stolen from a building site. The theft was reported last Sunday, June 1, when the vehicle was found to be missing from the building site on Lower Bridgeman Street in Bolton. Officers said that they they believe a white flatbed truck was used to take the yellow 1.6 JCB Excavator Digger away. They said that two men have been arrested on suspicion of theft, but have since been bailed while police investigate the incident further. Police are now appealing to the public for information about the incident. They have asked for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on Lower Bridgeman Street at around 12.30pm to get in touch with them. Officers have asked anyone with any information, CCTV or dash-cam footage to call 101, quoting log 499 of 02/06/2025. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Have a story? Get in touch at A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "At around 12:30pm on Sunday 1 June, it was reported that a yellow 1.6 JCB Excavator Digger was stolen from a building site on Lower Bridgeman Street in Bolton. "Officers believe that the digger was placed on a white flatbed truck. READ MORE: Leigh murder suspect launched 'frenzied attack' court hears READ MORE: Neighbours' shock after XL Bully attack in Horwich READ MORE: Man not guilty of causing death in St Helens Road, Bolton "Two men have been arrested on suspicion of theft and have since been bailed pending further enquiries. "If you saw anything suspicious on Lower Bridgeman Street around 12:30pm, or anyone with any information, CCTV or dash-cam footage, is encouraged to call 101 quoting log 499 of 02/06/2025. "Alternatively, you can remain anonymous by contacting our independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Four people die in blaze in French city of Reims
Four people have died in an overnight house fire in the northern French city of Reims, authorities said on Friday. One child is among the dead and another child is missing, according to the local prefecture. Two adults were hospitalized with serious injuries and 12 suffered minor injuries. According to the prefecture, the figures are provisional, and emergency services have not yet been able to inspect a flat that was badly hit by the fire. Authorities said the fire broke out on the fourth floor of the apartment building at around 12:30 am (2230 GMT Thursday) and spread quickly. It was initially unclear what caused the fire, which has now been extinguished. Around 40 people were temporarily housed in a gymnasium due to the blaze.
