PC charged after mum-of-three's death in Oldham police chase 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.
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