WIREDGOV

Our investigation after a man was sadly killed while crossing a road in Derbyshire concluded that the police car he collided with had been driven in accordance with emergency response policies. 

Dennis Wilson, a 91-year-old widower, died at the scene in Loundsley Green Road, Chesterfield, on 4 September last year (2017) when he was struck by a single-crewed police car answering an emergency call. He was taking his regular morning walk when it happened.

The matter was referred to us by Derbyshire Constabulary and our investigation examined the circumstances of the collision. The officer was responding to a 999 call about the welfare of a woman graded as requiring an immediate response.

Evidence gathered by our investigator concurred with the officer’s account that he had his blue lights and siren on after being deployed from Chesterfield Police Station.

Several witnesses said Mr Wilson had stepped out from the pavement into the car’s path without looking. 

It was noted that a collision investigation report corroborated the officer’s account that he had braked significantly when he saw Mr Wilson and thought he might not stop before crossing.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “The consequences of this incident were tragic and Mr Wilson’s family have my deepest sympathy. After conducting a thorough investigationwe found that the speed and manner of the officer’s driving in responding to an emergency call were consistent with local and national guidance, and his training.”

An inquest held in Chesterfield last month returned a finding of accidental death.