MPS officer cleared of causing death by careless driving

Police Constable Daniel Bowen, 29, attached to the MPS’s North East Basic Command Unit, was found not guilty of causing death by careless driving on February 25 following a trial at the Old Bailey.

The trial was in relation to a fatal collision that took place on July 15, 2020, in High Street North, East Ham, when 83-year-old Peter Dawe was struck by the wing mirror of the police carrier van being driven by PC Bowen while on a pedestrian crossing.

PC Bowen was slowly turning right on a green light when the collision occurred. The impact caused Mr Dawe to fall backwards and bang his head.

PC Bowen immediately stopped the vehicle and he and other officers from the van carried out first aid on Mr Dawe until paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended and took him to an east London hospital. Mr Dawe died from his injuries on 3 August, 2020.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker, who is in charge of policing the North East Basic Command Unit (Newham and Waltham Forest), said: “Mr Dawe’s death was a tragedy and our thoughts very much remain with his loved ones.

“PC Bowen, who has expressed absolute remorse for the death of Mr Dawe, has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, but he will now face a gross misconduct hearing where a panel will decide if his actions on that day fell below the high standard we expect from our officers.”

PC Bowen remains on restricted duties.