Police officer reached 93mph in metropolis centre automobile chase earlier than collision that killed physician, 35, court docket hears

A police officer reached speeds of up to 93mph during a fatal police chase through a city centre that killed a doctor, 35, a court heard.

Matthew Pike, 40, was pursuing a white Volkswagen Tiguan through Bristol shortly before midnight on November 4 2021 when he collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Dr Keryl Johnson.

Dr Johnson was badly injured in the crash at Newfoundland Circus and died several days later in hospital, Bristol Crown Court was told.

PC Pike was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.  

Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, told the court that Lewis Griffin’s driving – who was behind the wheel of the white Tiguan – was the ‘primary and immediate cause’ of Dr Johnson’s death. 

But that PC Pike’s driving was also ‘dangerous and contributed too, and so in terms of law, caused her death’.

The court heard that PC Pike, who was driving a BMW, was trained to the most advanced level for police driving, had received all relevant refresher training, and was authorised for pursuit driving.

The pursuit began when PC Pike activated his blue lights and sirens but Mr Griffin did not stop.

Matthew Pike (pictured), 40, was pursuing a white Volkswagen Tiguan through Bristol shortly before midnight on November 4 2021 when he collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Dr Keryl Johnson

Ms Ledward described how the BMW and Volkswagen drove from Totterdown, past Bristol Temple Meads railway station, to Bond Street and then on smaller residential streets in Stokes Croft.

They went the wrong way down two one-way streets before returning to the roads near the Cabot Circus shopping centre, where the fatal collision happened.

Forensic experts were able to examine external CCTV cameras to produce average speeds at specific locations for both vehicles during the pursuit.

‘After review, there is no dispute between the collision investigator who has been instructed by the prosecution, and the expert instructed by the defence,’ the prosecutor said.

Ms Ledward told the jury: ‘The BMW records very high speeds there afterwards and in terms of the calculation, an average of 70mph between Dean Street and Wilder Street, and then on the approach to Portland Square.

‘We would suggest the Cleartone footage (from the BMW police car) and the CCTV suggest that on this stretch after the City Road the BMW was not hanging about, and in fact gaining ground on the Volkswagen as they approach Portland Square.’

The court heard that as PC Pike pursued Mr Griffin through the city the officer reached speeds of up to 93mph as they reached the Old Market roundabout.

CCTV camera captured the collision between the Volkswagen and Dr Johnson’s car.

Bristol Crown Court where PC Pike is on trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving

The court heard PC Pike stopped at the scene and went to the aid of the occupant of the car, while his colleague pursued Griffin on foot.

‘PC Pike went to provide assistance to the occupant of the Honda Jazz, until he was relieved by colleagues and other emergency workers,’ the prosecutor said.

Ms Ledward continued: ‘There is no suggestion that he did anything other than act bravely, professionally and selflessly, and entirely in accordance with his duties as a police officer, in what must have been absolutely dreadful moments.

‘PC Davis, meanwhile, pursued Lewis Griffin on foot, who had made off from the Volkswagen into a nearby car park, where he was arrested.’

Dr Johnson was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and died on November 16 2021.

Summarising the prosecution case, Ms Ledward said: ‘The manner in which this unsafe course of driving was pursued caused the Volkswagen to be driven at higher speed and to engage in ever more dangerous manoeuvres, such that in itself it amounted to dangerous driving.

‘As for causation to Keryl Johnson’s death, there can be no sensible argument but for the dangerous driving of Lewis Griffin was the most immediate cause of the death of Keryl Johnson.

‘But that is not the end of the matter. The prosecution say that PC Pike’s driving also crossed that dividing line between creating a circumstance in which the collision occurred and causing the fatality in this case.’

Ms Ledward suggested the manner of PC Pike’s driving put ‘pressure’ on Mr Griffin and caused him to drive more dangerously.

‘In short, was it not just Lewis Griffin’s response to the pursuit but the combination of PC Pike’s persistent, dangerous and disproportionate pursuit, and Mr Griffin’s response to it, which caused Keryl Johnson’s death?,’ she said.

‘It is not just the pursuit driving immediately before the collision, which should be considered, his earlier driving should be taken into account, particularly whether it was putting pressure on Lewis Griffin.

‘You will want to consider to what extent Pc Pike’s dangerous driving, and the manner and the length of time and the doggedness in which it was conducted, put pressure on the driver of the Volkswagen to such an extent that in turn it caused him to drive ever more dangerously?’

PC Pike denies both charges he faces and the trial continues.