A police officer accelerated to speeds of up to 93 miles per hour during a city centre pursuit that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old doctor, a court has been told.
The Fatal Collision in Bristol
Police Constable Matthew Pike, 40, was pursuing a white Volkswagen Tiguan, driven by Lewis Griffin, through Bristol just before midnight on 4 November 2021. During the chase, Pc Pike's marked BMW police car collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Dr Keryl Johnson.
The collision occurred at Newfoundland Circus near the Cabot Circus shopping centre. Dr Johnson sustained life-threatening injuries and tragically passed away in hospital on 16 November 2021.
Pc Pike, who was trained to the most advanced level for police driving, now stands trial at Bristol Crown Court. He faces a primary charge of causing death by dangerous driving and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving, both of which he denies.
Details of the High-Speed Pursuit
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC outlined the events to the jury. The pursuit began after Pc Pike activated his blue lights and sirens, but Mr Griffin failed to stop.
The two vehicles travelled from Totterdown, past Bristol Temple Meads station, through Bond Street and onto smaller residential streets in Stokes Croft. The court heard they went the wrong way down two one-way streets before returning to the roads near Cabot Circus.
Forensic analysis of external CCTV footage established average speeds for both vehicles. Between Dean Street and Wilder Street, Pc Pike's BMW averaged 70mph. The prosecution stated the evidence showed the police car was "gaining ground" on the Volkswagen as they approached Portland Square.
Most strikingly, the court heard that as the pursuit reached the Old Market roundabout, Pc Pike's speed peaked at approximately 93mph.
The Prosecution's Argument on Causation
Ms Ledward acknowledged that Mr Griffin's driving was the "primary and immediate cause" of the fatal crash. However, she argued that Pc Pike's driving was also dangerous and contributed legally to Dr Johnson's death.
The prosecution's case suggests that the manner of the police pursuit placed "pressure" on Mr Griffin, causing him to drive at higher speeds and execute increasingly dangerous manoeuvres.
"The prosecution say that Pc Pike's driving also crossed that dividing line between creating a circumstance in which the collision occurred and causing the fatality in this case," Ms Ledward told the court.
She urged the jury to consider whether it was the combination of Pc Pike's "persistent, dangerous and disproportionate pursuit" and Mr Griffin's response to it that ultimately led to the tragedy.
Aftermath and Continuing Trial
The court was told that Pc Pike stopped immediately after the collision and went to assist Dr Johnson, acting "bravely, professionally and selflessly" until other emergency workers arrived.
Meanwhile, a colleague, Pc Davis, pursued Lewis Griffin on foot into a nearby car park, where he was arrested.
The trial continues as the jury must determine the culpability of the police officer's actions during the high-speed police pursuit through central Bristol.
