Police officer in court charged over fatal crash
BBCA Northumbria Police officer has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a pensioner by dangerous driving.
PC Mark Roberts, 56, of Newburn Court, Darlington was driving a police vehicle when it collided with a motorbike on Dunston Road in Gateshead in July 2022.
The passenger on the bike, 74-year-old Muriel Pinkney, later died in hospital while the rider suffered serious injuries.
PC Roberts appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court and was granted bail ahead of his next court date in the new year.
Mrs Pinkney died nine days after the crash.
PC Roberts was charged with causing the her death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to Ronald Pinkney.
He also faces charges of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving.
District Judge Steven Hood granted bail and PC Roberts will next appear at Durham Crown Court on 17 January.
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