Police officer in court accused of causing death of NHS doctor during pursuit through Bristol

The case will not be heard until 2026

An Avon and Somerset Police officer has been in court accused of causing the death by dangerous driving of a much-loved NHS doctor. Matthew Pike, 38, appeared at Bristol Crown Court today, Friday, October 4, accused of causing the death of Dr Keryl Johnson, in November 2021, during a police pursuit.

Pike had been driving an unmarked police BWM that was in pursuit of a suspect Volkswagen Tiguan. The Tiguan collided with a Honda Jazz that was being driven by Dr Johnson, a GP at Hanham Health's Almondsbury practice, fatally injuring her.

Pike is also charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, linked to the same incident. During the brief hearing, Pike, who was seated in the dock, confirmed his name and his ability to hear the proceedings. He did not enter pleas to the charges against him.

Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for January 5, 2026, and granted Pike unconditional bail. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said to the court: "This case arises out of a fatal collision that took place very shortly after midnight on November 5, 2021, which resulted in the death of Keryl Johnson."

The court was told that Pike was at the wheel of an unmarked police car chasing another vehicle when it crashed into Dr Johnson's car. Ms Ledward estimated the trial would last between 10 and 15 days. Ramin Pakrooh represented Pike during the hearing.

Earlier, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated that the charges stemmed from a road traffic accident in Newfoundland Circus, in Bristol city centre, on November 5, 2021.

The two charges state that Dr Johnson died on November 16, 2021, and claim that Pike was driving a BMW on various roads, including Temple Gate, Temple Way, Bond Street, the Bearpit roundabout, King's Square Avenue, Armada Place, Nine Tree Hill, and Brigstocke Road.

According to a previous statement by the IOPC: "The officer was driving an unmarked police vehicle and was pursuing a Volkswagen Tiguan which had failed to stop for police.

"During the pursuit, the Volkswagen Tiguan collided with a Honda Jazz. The driver of the Honda sadly died in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the collision."

The IOPC investigated the incident following a mandatory referral from Avon and Somerset Police in November 2021 and subsequently submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges against the officer.

At the time of Dr Johnson's death, Hanham Health issued a statement which read: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dr Keryl Johnson, a much-loved GP at our Almondsbury practice. This will be a huge shock to the wider community, as it has been to her friends and colleagues at the surgery."