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    28

    Jan 2021

    Last Updated: 28/01/2021
    Crime
    Crime

    Police officer 'very sorry' after high speed crash with Harrogate women

    by Connor Creaghan

    | 28 Jan, 2021
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    Patricia Bulmer and Janet Roberton, both in their 70s, sustained severe injuries as a result of the crash, including broken bones and a punctured lung.

    otley-road-junction-with-cold-bath-road

    A police officer has apologised after she drove through a red light at 50 miles per hour and crashed into a car with two elderly Harrogate women inside.

    Bradford Crown Court heard the statement DC Quita Passmore prepared when questioned under caution by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

    The court previously heard how Patricia Bulmer and Janet Roberton sustained severe injuries as a result of the crash, including broken bones and a punctured lung.

    DC Quita Passmore has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving. She has entered a plea of not guilty to both counts.

    She was responding to reports on May 5, 2018 from her colleague PC Nicola Copley - who said she was in distress while trying to make an arrest in the Bilton area.




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    The defendant made a three point turn, put on her blue lights and sirens and drove down Otley Road towards the centre of Harrogate.

    DC Quita Passmore said in her statement, read out in court with a jury today:

    "Despite my concern for [PC Nicola Copley] I limited my speed to 50 miles per hour and kept my road conditions under constant review.
    "I was aware that I needed to give way for the red light. But I thought it was unlikely that anything would emerge as my colleague had passed through seconds before.
    "As I went through the junction a red car emerged. My evasive action was not enough to avoid the collision.
    "I am glad to hear that the two other people involved are making a recovery. I am very sorry this happened, it was never my intention."


    The court called in three witnesses today. PC Steve Kirkbright, driving trainer Kenneth Tate and IOPC officer Paul Whitaker provided evidence.

    Steve Kirkbright, a forensic collision investigator with more than 30 years experience at North Yorkshire Police, told the court:

    "I do not think that DC Quita Passmore braked heavily before the crash. I have watched the CCTV dozens of times.
    "The brake lights do not appear on DC Quita Passmore's car. Other vehicles in the CCTV slow down and you can see the light bloom."


    Kenneth Tate, a driving trainer at North Yorkshire Police who has taught DC Quita Passmore, also said:

    "If I were approaching this junction with a red light I would slow down to a walking pace.
    "It is only safe to go once I have got the 'arena,' which means that everyone has eyes on the police car around the junction.
    "You have to make sure the junction is clear. That is how we always train."


    The trial continues.