Man jailed after collision which killed police officer
It happened in December 2024
A man has been sentenced, for causing death by careless driving, after Detective Constable Karen Smith was involved a collision near the village of Thorngumbald on Wednesday, 18 December 2024.
Laurence Green, 72, of Littleham Close, Hull pleaded guilty after his first appearance at Hull Magistrates Court on 8 January 2026.
Yesterday (Monday, 22 June 2026), he has appeared at Grimsby Crown Court and has received a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years and a two-year driving ban.
At the time of the collision, Karen was travelling home from Melton Police Station, along the A1033 and Mr Green was heading in the opposite direction. As he went to make a right turn, he collided with Karen, knocking her from her motorbike.
Emergency services were immediately deployed, but Karen died at the scene.
An investigation was started by the Serious Collision Unit to understand the circumstances surrounding the collision and ascertain what had happened. From reviewing CCTV footage, analysing forensic evidence, and speaking with witnesses, it was established that Mr Green had entered the filter lane, but failed to pause prior to commencing his turn.
Reconstruction work revealed that the motorcycle would have been visible from a safe distance, had Mr Green carried out the appropriate checks.
On Thursday 8 January, Mr Green was summonsed to appear at Hull Magistrates Court, where he was charged with causing death by careless driving.
Assistant Chief Constable, Andy Walker, said: “Karen was a proud and dedicated member of Humberside Police; she was an excellent and highly-skilled detective, having most recently worked in our Major Crime Team and previously in the Organised Crime team on the Northbank.
“Having completed nearly ten years’ service with the force, Karen also worked in the Proactive team and CID for many years, this came after she took on roles as a PCSO and Digital Forensics Technician in her early career.
“I would like to thank all colleagues who have been involved in the investigation, I know this has been incredibly difficult with it relating to someone so loved and cherished across the force.
“Karen’s professionalism, warmth, and commitment touched so many of us, and she is deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of working alongside her. We will always remember Karen and her unwavering contribution to policing, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies continue to remain with Karen’s family and friends.”
Paying tribute to Karen, her family said: “We find ourselves as a family here today to see Laurence Green sentenced for killing Karen. His failure to see her while she was riding home from work on 18 December 2024 killed her instantly, and our world was changed forever in that moment.
“No sentence will ever bring her back to us, but we are grateful to the court for their time, consideration and compassion. We are also indebted to Senior Crown Advocate, Mr Jeremy Evans, for his support in the prosecution and of course to the officers from Humberside Police’s Roads Policing and Serious Collision Unit who have worked tirelessly since that day to support us through the investigation, and in our darkest days of grief.
“Karen meant so much to so many, as a wife, mum, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and colleague. She was a brilliant detective who fought for justice for victims, and to us she was simply Kaz - with a smile which would light up rooms and with a laugh that it was impossible not to join in with.
“Justice is now done, and we move forward to continue our grief less publicly, trying to get used to the Karen shaped hole in all of our lives, but her spark will forever live on in our memories and the time we shared.”