A POLICE officer who seriously injured a woman when he drove through a red light on a pedestrian crossing while on an emergency call has been given a four-month driving ban.
PC Dan Parsons, 32, was driving an unmarked police car and responding to a suspected firearms incident when he collided with 19-year-old Saara Akatwijuka at the Wick Wick roundabout (pictured above) in November 2024.
The collision left Ms Akatwijuka with “significant injuries”: she was in hospital for several weeks afterwards and police said she is still recovering from them.
Following an investigation by the force’s Serious Collision Investigations Team, which referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, PC Parsons was charged last year with causing serious injury by dangerous driving in connection with the incident.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, and at Gloucester Crown Court today was given a four-month driving ban, a fine of £2,800 and an order to pay costs of £1,000.
He is also facing a misconduct hearing after the Independent Office for Police Conduct referred the case to Avon & Somerset police’s Professional Standards Department.
A police spokesperson said: “The officer had been responding to a suspected firearms incident in Longwell Green when he drove through a red light and was in collision with a 19-year-old woman on a pedestrian crossing, leaving her with serious injuries.
“Officers provided first aid alongside paramedics before the woman was taken to hospital.”
The roundabout is the junction of the A4174 Avon Ring Road and Badminton Road, between the Willy Wicket pub and the Badminton Road bridge over the M4, which is currently being rebuilt.
The collision happened before the old traffic lights were removed and replaced by temporary lights as part of a road works programme.
The head of the police’s Professional Standards Department, Detective Superintendent Larisa Hunt, said: “PC Parsons has pleaded guilty to a serious driving offence for which he’s now been sentenced.
“As a result of the collision, a young woman was left with significant injuries, from which she is still recovering.
“Our thoughts remain with her, as well as her family.
“Police officers are always expected to follow national and local guidance, and their training, when responding to emergency incidents.
“Following the incident, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who assessed the incident as suitable for local investigation by our Professional Standards Department.
“Now the criminal case has concluded, we’ll be progressing with the misconduct process.”