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A Surrey Police officer has pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention following a managed investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

PC Andrew Crabb, 46, pleaded guilty on Monday 19 May 2014 at Horsham Magistrates Court. The court imposed a £375 fine and five points on his licence.

On Friday 28 June 2013, PC Crabb was driving an unmarked Surrey Police van when it collided with a Ford Fiesta at around 1pm on the A29 Warnham, near Horsham, in Sussex.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta, a 35-year-old woman, was airlifted to hospital with life changing injuries.

The IPCC managed the investigation into the collision, which was carried out by Sussex Police following a referral from Surrey Police. The investigation found the police van was travelling at a minimum speed of 67mph on the A29 shortly prior to the collision, and after braking had slowed to around 44-46mph at the point of impact with the Ford Fiesta. As the police van was a Ford Transit and considered a goods vehicle, it was restricted to a speed limit of 50mph on the single carriageway road.

The IPCC and Surrey Police will now consider misconduct matters in relation to the officer’s actions.
 
IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: "Sadly the consequences of this collision have been very extremely serious for a young woman and her family.
 
"Police officers, like all other road users, must drive with care and attention at all times, and adapt their driving to suit the road conditions and speed limits.”