Greater Manchester Police officer cleared over woman's crash death

A police officer has been cleared of causing a woman's death after her car was hit by his unmarked police car during his pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Greater Manchester Police constable Mark Burrows, 46, was chasing an Audi A3 when he crashed into a Peugeot 108 driven by Heather Smedley, 53, in Royton, Oldham on 23 December 2022. Burrows, from Reddish, Stockport, was cleared by a jury at Chester Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving. Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said the impact of the crash was "lifelong" for Burrows and his thoughts were with Heather's loved ones who "continue to mourn her devastating loss". "Mark Burrows went to work that day like any other day - intent on serving the public and keeping them safe from those who seek to do harm," Sykes said. "It is nothing short of tragic that an innocent woman died in the course of those duties." In July 2023, Marcel Doyle, the driver of the stolen Audi, was jailed for 14 years and 11 months after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving. Sykes added: "Only one man was responsible for Heather's death that day and he's already behind bars. "The impact of this inciden

May 7, 2026 → May 7, 2026