Police officer charged over fatal crash
GoogleA police officer is set to appear in court being charged with causing the death of a woman killed in a motorbike crash in 2022.
Muriel Pinkney, 74, died after a marked police car collided with the motorbike she was a passenger on in Dunston Road, near the Metrocentre shopping centre in Gateshead.
The male rider was also taken to hospital after suffering multiple fractures to his leg, hip and pelvis.
PC Mark Roberts, 56, of Northumbria Police, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He also faces additional charges of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving.
Ms Pinkney was taken to hospital following the crash, which took place shortly after 15:00 BST on 8 July 2022.
She died in hospital nine days later.
The crash sparked an investigation by the Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC), which was completed in December 2023.
The IPOC referred its evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges last month.
PC Roberts is set to appear at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Friday 20 December.
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