Saturday, January 1, 2011

UK - Will off-duty police officer be charged over biker's death?

OFF THE WIRE
 thisishullandeastriding.co.uk

AN OFF-DUTY police officer arrested in connection with the death of a teenage biker will find out next month if she is to be charged.
Student mechanic Daniel Martin, 18, died when his motorcycle collided with a car in Runnymede Way in Hull's Kingswood estate.
The 27-year-old woman, who has not been named, has been released on police bail twice.
A spokeswoman for Humberside Police told the Mail the officer is due to answer her bail in January when a decision will be made on whether she will face charges in connection with the incident.
She has been released on bail again as investigations continue into the crash.
Superintendent Ray Higgins, of Humberside Police's Professional Standards Branch, previously told the Mail: "The family of the deceased were informed that the driver of the other vehicle involved was an off-duty officer.
"During the investigation, she is being treated in the same way as any other member of the public and her occupation is irrelevant as part of the investigation."
Eye witnesses said Daniel jumped from his Kawasaki Ninja 400cc motorcycle before it crashed into a blue Vauxhall Corsa at 5.40pm on July 30 at the junction with Chevening Park.
A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "She is a serving police officer. She was not on duty at the time of the incident and was not using a police vehicle."
More than 150 bikers, including friends and family of Daniel, raised more than £100 for charity when they took part in a charity bike ride from Pizza Hut in Kingswood to Fimber, near Driffield, in his memory.
Shortly after his son's death, Daniel's father Adie Martin told the Mail: "He was a good rider, he knew what he was doing and didn't take risks.
"He was such a loving young man who was just starting out in life.
"He had so many friends. He was loved by everyone and had such a big heart."
Daniel, who was doing a motorcycle maintenance course at Hull College, was about to join the Army's Royal Engineers.