Police Officer Jailed for Fatal Crash During Emergency Response
A police officer who caused a fatal crash while responding to an emergency call about a choking baby has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
Mark Roberts, 57, ran a red light at speed and collided with a motorbike carrying Ronald and Muriel Pinkney near the Metrocentre in Gateshead in July 2022, as heard at Teesside Crown Court.
The 74-year-old Mrs Pinkney died in hospital several days later. Her family described the loss as devastating but expressed that they did not wish for Roberts to be imprisoned.
Roberts, from Darlington, had admitted careless driving, referring to the incident as a "tragic accident," but was convicted of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
On 8 July 2022, Roberts was at Whickham Police Station when he was dispatched shortly before 15:00 BST to a grade one emergency call regarding a five-week-old baby struggling to breathe in Dunston, according to Judge Francis Laird KC.
While crossing a bridge over the A1, Roberts ran a red light at an average speed of 43 mph and struck the motorbike, which had just exited the dual carriageway and was turning ahead of him, the court was told.
Although Roberts braked hard, he was still traveling between 25 and 27 mph at the moment of impact.
The trial revealed that Roberts briefly lost consciousness during the collision but upon regaining consciousness, he administered first aid to the couple until emergency services arrived.
Mrs Pinkney died days later from blunt head injuries. Her husband was hospitalized for a month, treated for a brain bleed and fractures to his shoulder, leg, and ribs.
Family Statement: "We Don't Blame Him"
In a statement read to the court, the Pinkneys' daughter, Dawn Hunter, described her parents as "inseparable" for 56 years and living life fully together.
Since her mother's passing, she said her father lost his life partner and had "gone from doing everything with [Mrs Pinkney] to doing pretty much nothing."
She added that her father now walks with a limp and no longer wishes to ride a motorbike, an activity he had enjoyed since his youth.
The couple had purchased a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorbike years before the crash to enjoy trips together, the court heard.
Mrs Pinkney was described as an "attentive" mother, and her death has been deeply distressing for the entire family.
Family Forgives Officer, Cites His Public Service
Regarding Roberts, Ms Hunter said:
"We don't blame the officer for what happened."
She explained that although the family had been angry initially, understanding the reasons behind Roberts' driving led them to compassion. They did not want his life ruined or for him to be imprisoned "for doing his job."
Ms Hunter expressed gratitude for Roberts' apology and acceptance of careless driving, stating that "ideally" he would not have been convicted of dangerous driving.
In mitigation, Luke Ponte KC described Roberts as "devastated" and noted his efforts to provide first aid despite losing consciousness in the crash.
The court heard Roberts had served 22 "exemplary" years in the army, including deployments to Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After leaving the military, he joined Durham Police and transferred to Northumbria in 2017.
Ponte highlighted Roberts' "remarkable life of public service" dedicated to helping others.
Judge Criticizes Officer's Errors and Driving Conduct
Judge Laird acknowledged Roberts as a highly trained officer but stated he made "serious errors."
While responding to a "grave emergency" that could have resulted in a child's death, Roberts was expected to drive with caution and care.
The judge noted that although Roberts was "entitled" to exemptions regarding speed limits and traffic signals during emergencies, he was trained to exercise these with caution.
Roberts' speed approaching the junction was deemed excessive, and he was "so focused on getting to [his destination]" that he "failed to notice" the motorbike.
Judge Laird expressed concern over Roberts' statement to a probation officer that emergency responders "commonly fail to comply with the obligation to treat red lights as a give way junction and simply rely on other road users to stop."
"That suggests you deliberately chose not to observe the law and your training,"
the judge told Roberts.
Roberts was also disqualified from driving for five years and one month and must pass an extended driving test before regaining his license.
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