An Indian-origin police officer has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for over four years by a UK court after pleading guilty to causing the death of a woman by dangerous driving. Police Constable Nadeem Patel, 28, was driving a marked police patrol car responding to an emergency 999 call when it collided with 25-year-old Shante Daniel-Folkes in June 2021. Daniel-Folkes suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Another officer, PC Gary Thomson, 31, who was driving a police car ahead of Patel's vehicle, was convicted of careless driving by a jury at the Old Bailey court in London following a four-day trial.

The court heard that both officers were driving at high speeds in a built-up urban area, despite not being bound by the local speed limit due to the emergency call. The prosecution argued that the officers failed to meet the expected standard of a competent and careful driver given the potential hazards in the vicinity, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Daniel-Folkes was crossing the road near a pedestrian crossing when Thomson's vehicle passed her with its emergency lights and siren activated. A few seconds later, she was struck by Patel's vehicle. Patel had switched off his front emergency lights to avoid affecting Thomson's vision but had his siren activated.

The prosecution revealed that Patel reached a speed of 83.9 mph just 115 meters before the car's final stopping point, while Thomson's vehicle passed Daniel-Folkes at speeds between 70-79 mph. At the end of the trial, Thomson was convicted of careless driving but acquitted of dangerous driving. He was fined £500 and received five penalty points on his driving license. Patel, on the other hand, has been banned from driving for 54 months starting in February this year. The Crown Prosecution Service expressed their hope that the sentences and verdicts would offer some comfort to the family and friends of Daniel-Folkes.

The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility and duty of care that police officers have, even in emergency situations. It highlights the need for officers to exercise caution and adhere to safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents and loss of life. The sentencing sends a message about the consequences of dangerous driving and holds the officers accountable for their actions. Ultimately, it is hoped that such cases will contribute to improved training and protocols within the police force to prevent similar incidents in the future.