Avon and Somerset police officer appears in court after fatal road crash
Matthew Pike is accused of causing death by dangerous driving during a police chase in 2021
A police officer has appeared in court accused of causing death by dangerous driving after a vehicle they were pursuing was involved in a fatal crash with another car.
Matthew Pike, 38, an Avon and Somerset Police constable, appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court accused of killing Keryl Johnson.
He also faces an alternative charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving relating to the same alleged victim.
Pike, who sat in the well of the court rather than the dock, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing.
He did not enter pleas to either of the charges.
Legal representatives of Pike did not make an application to grant the defendant anonymity.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said the charges related to a road traffic collision in Newfoundland Circus, in Bristol city centre, on November 5, 2021.
The two charges give Ms Johnson's death as November 16 2021 and allege Pike was driving a BMW on roads including Temple Gate, Temple Way, Bond Street, the Bearpit roundabout, King's Square Avenue, Armada Place, Nine Tree Hill and Brigstocke Road.
District Judge Joanna Dickens sent the case to Bristol Crown Court for trial and released Pike on unconditional bail.
"Your case is listed at the crown court at Bristol on October 4 and you have to attend," she said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the IOPC said: "The officer was driving an unmarked police vehicle and was pursuing a Volkswagen Tiguan which had failed to stop for police.
"During the pursuit the Volkswagen Tiguan collided with a Honda Jazz.
"The driver of the Honda sadly died in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the collision."
The IOPC said it investigated the incident following a mandatory referral from Avon and Somerset Police in November 2021.
A file was then sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges against the officer.