MP: Review Katelyn ruling
‘RIGOUR’ OF DECISION ON BUS STOP DEATH QUESTIONED
THE decision not to prosecute the driver of the BMW which crashed into a bus stop killing Katelyn Dawson should be reviewed, Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman has said.
Mr Sheerman spoke out after the Examiner reported the man driving would not be charged as he was believed to have fainted at the wheel.
Katelyn, 15, and a student at Shelley College, was waiting at the bus stop on Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, on January 10, 2018, when a BMW ploughed onto the pavement and hit her as well as two other female pedestrians.
Katelyn died in hospital. A 17-year-old girl was injured and 47-year-old Christine Crawshaw suffered life-changing injuries while the driver of the BMW, a 51-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated in hospital.
Mr Sheerman said: “I am calling for the CPS to review their decision and I am also asking for West Yorkshire Police’s temporary chief constable to look again at the evidence.
“I think the police should look at whether sufficient rigour was applied (during the investigation).”
Yesterday, the Examiner told how Katelyn’s parents Colin and Angela and Mrs Crawshaw had appealed against the decision not to charge the driver.
A letter from the CPS said the driver had “lost control of the car because he had lost consciousness as the result of a fainting fit”.
A CPS spokeswoman said: “We explained to Katelyn’s family and to the other bystanders injured in the incident that they have a right, under the CPS Victims’ Right of Review Scheme to appeal our decision not to prosecute.
“We also offered to meet them to discuss the decision and answer any further questions they may have. Katelyn’s family and others of those injured have asked to invoke the VRR procedure.
“We will not comment further until it is complete and they have been informed.”
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: “A comprehensive and thorough investigation was undertaken by specialist officers and forensic collision investigators into what was a tragic incident.
“A decision was made by the CPS to take no further action against the driver involved in the collision.”
A decision on the appeal is expected by Thursday, April 25.