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.”