Officer jailed for causing serious injury by dangerous driving
A Greater Manchester Police officer who left a teenage pedestrian with “catastrophic” injuries after striking him with her patrol vehicle has been jailed.
PC Sarah De Meulemeester, 26, was driving the second of three police vehicles responding to an emergency incident on Boxing Day in 2020 when her vehicle struck Khia Whitehead on Garner’s Lane, Stockport.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the 15-year-old boy suffered “catastrophic harm in the collision and remains in hospital, unable to communicate, with permanent brain injuries”.
The CPS proved in court that PC De Meulemeester’s driving was dangerous due to her speed and position on the road which created a risk to pedestrians.
She was also driving on ‘blue lights’ without the necessary authorisation to do so, the court heard.
PC De Meulemeester, of Chinley, Derbyshire, had been found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court on April 21 following a trial.
She was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment at the same court on Friday (May 19).
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the Special Crime Division at the CPS, said: “At the time of the collision, De Meulemeester was driving at excessive speed – more than 40mph just before impact – in a 30mph zone and was travelling on the wrong side of a ‘keep left’ traffic island in dark and wet conditions.
“The officer’s driving created an unacceptable risk and was the cause of this tragic collision, which had such devastating consequences for Khia, who was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.
“Our thoughts remain with Khia’s friends and family following this verdict.”
Following Friday’s hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “While today’s verdict brings these criminal proceedings to an end, the effects of this collision on the lives of Khia and his family will last a lifetime.
“Our investigation has ensured PC De Meulemeester was held accountable for her dangerous actions that day, which had devastating consequences for Khia.
“Now criminal matters have concluded, it will be for Greater Manchester Police to arrange misconduct hearings for PC De Meulemeester and another officer we found has a case to answer for gross misconduct in relation to their driving prior to the collision.
“Khia’s family have requested that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
The IOPC said its investigation into the collision followed a mandatory referral from the force and concluded in September 2021.