Police officer reached 93mph before fatal pursuit

A police officer reached speeds of 93mph (149km/h) as he pursued a motorist in the run-up to a fatal crash, a jury has heard.

PC Matthew Pike, 40, was following a Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Lewis Griffin when the Volkswagen collided with Dr Keryl Johnson's car in Bristol shortly before midnight on 4 November 2021. Johnson, 35, died in hospital 11 days later.

Pike denies causing her death by dangerous driving and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving and is on trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, said the chase started in Totterdown and went past Bristol Temple Meads to Bond Street and onto residential streets before the Newfoundland Way crash.

Forensic experts examined CCTV cameras to produce average speeds at specific locations for both Griffin's car and Pike's unmarked BMW police vehicle during the pursuit.

"After review, there is no dispute between the collision investigator who has been instructed by the prosecution, and the expert instructed by the defence," Ledward said.

The court was told that both cars travelled through red lights, went the wrong way down two one-way streets, and at some points reached more than double the speed limit during the pursuit.

Pike was identified as travelling between 49mph (78km/h) and 93mph (149km/h) during the pursuit while Griffin drove at speeds from 48mph (77km/h) to 90mph (144km/h).

"The Cleartone footage [from the BMW police car] and the CCTV suggest that on this stretch after the City Road the BMW was not hanging about, and in fact gaining ground on the Volkswagen as they approach Portland Square," Ledward said.

Ledward previously told the court that Griffin's driving was the "primary and immediate cause" of Johnson's death, but said Pike's driving was also "dangerous and contributed too, and so in terms of law, caused her death".

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the pursuit as well as the fatal collision itself which was captured on a taxi's dashcam.

Following the collision, the court heard Pike stopped at the scene to provide aid to Johnson while his colleague, PC Mitchell Davis, pursued Griffin on foot and arrested him in a nearby car park.

Pike stayed with Johnson, who had been driving a Honda Jazz, until he was later relieved.

"PC Pike went to provide assistance to the occupant of the Honda Jazz, until he was relieved by colleagues and other emergency workers," the prosecutor said.

"There is no suggestion that he did anything other than act bravely, professionally and selflessly, and entirely in accordance with his duties as a police officer, in what must have been absolutely dreadful moments."

The court also heard how during the pursuit a police check was carried out on Griffin's Volkswagen and that it had insurance, tax and no reports.

The trial continues.

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