Police officer who caused crash in Bristol that left a man seriously injured sentenced
PC Daniel Fortune was responding to an emergency when he drove through a red light at speed
A serving police officer in Bristol has been sentenced after admitting a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The conviction relates to a collision on the A4 Portway, at the junction of Hung Road, in Bristol at around 11.30am on 6 September 2023.
PC Daniel Fortune was driving an unmarked police car when he drove through a red light at speed during an emergency response and collided with a member of the public’s car, leaving the driver with serious injuries.
Following the incident, Avon & Somerset Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who carried out an investigation. Following their enquiries, the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised the charge.
PC Fortune, 41, admitted the offence at his first crown court appearance and was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday.
He received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a 12-month driving disqualification.
Det Supt Larisa Hunt, head of the Professional Standards Department, said: “PC Fortune has admitted a serious driving offence for which he’s now been sentenced.
“The collision left a woman with very serious injuries from which she’s still recovering and our thoughts are with her.
“Police officers are expected at all times to follow national and local guidance, and their training, when responding to emergency incidents.
“Now the criminal proceedings have concluded, an accelerated misconduct hearing will be held later this month.”