GMP officer under ‘criminal investigation’ after dad seriously injured in crash

A police officer is under 'criminal investigation' over a crash which left a man who was walking home from a Christmas party[1] seriously injured, a watchdog announced today. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the unnamed constable has been 'advised' they are under criminal investigation for 'potential offences' of causing serious injury by dangerous driving or causing serious injury by careless driving, careless driving or dangerous driving. A gross misconduct investigation has also been opened.

At the investigation's conclusion, the IOPC said it would refer findings to the Crown Prosecution Service and decide whether the officer should face disciplinary proceedings.

The 38-year-old dad - identified only as Patryk - suffered a catalogue of injuries in the crash with the liveried Greater Manchester Police[4] vehicle in Rochdale[5] in the early hours of November 19. The IOPC revealed today the officer driving had earlier attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street.

The vehicle didn't stop and a 'short pursuit' lasting around a minute followed before the collision on the 'footpath' of Rochdale Road in Firgrove. An IOPC statement on Thursday said: "We can confirm that the pedestrian, 38, sustained serious injuries in the collision, which occurred on Rochdale Road at approximately 3.30am. Officers provided medical assistance to the man and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

"The officer, who is a police constable, has been advised that they are under criminal investigation for the potential offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving or causing serious injury by careless driving, or careless driving, or dangerous driving. They are also being investigated for potential gross misconduct.

"Our independent investigation began following a mandatory referral from the force on the day of the incident. Investigators attended the scene and the post incident procedures, and we secured CCTV footage and police radio transmissions, which have been reviewed.

"We have established that the officer driving a marked police vehicle attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street. A short pursuit commenced lasting approximately a minute when the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road." IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: "My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident last month.

We have met with the man's family to explain our role and we will keep them updated as our investigation progresses. "While our investigation is in its early stages, we have found an indication that a criminal offence may have been committed. "We will continue to investigate the actions and decision-making of the officer during the pursuit and at the end of our investigation, we will then decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and decide whether the officer should face disciplinary proceedings."

The IOPC said it had reviewed 'initial accounts' made by the police driver and body-worn video footage of officers who arrived after the collision. Patryk has a four-year-old daughter, his family revealed to the M.E.N. They said he was given medical assistance at the scene by police officers before being taken to Salford[6] Royal Hospital, where his condition remained critical.

He works at a local warehouse as a forklift truck driver.

His partner, Sylwia, said doctors said 'it is going to be a long journey for him and us'.

References

1. ^ a crash which left a man who was walking home from a Christmas party (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ LIVE Storm Pia weather and travel latest as Met Office updates warning after UK battered by strong winds (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ What are 'mother of pearl' clouds as Greater Manchester skies lit up with stunning rainbow colours (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Rochdale (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)