A police officer who killed a mother-of-three after crashing into her car during a high-speed chase just two days before Christmas has been cleared of causing her death. 

PC Mark Burrows, 46, was driving an unmarked police car in Oldham, Greater Manchester, when he ploughed into Heather Smedley's car on December 23, 2022. 

The 53-year-old was driving her Peugeot 108 when she was struck by the unmarked vehicle driven by the officer, which sent her hatchback flying into the air. 

PC Burrows was in the midst of a high-speed pursuit of a stolen Audi, driven by Marcel Doyle, when he crashed into the mother-of-three. 

Doyle then fled the crash, which occurred near the junction between Oldham Road and Otmoor Way in Royton. 

Paramedics and an air ambulance rushed to the scene, but the mother-of-three died at the scene. 

In July 2023, Doyle was sentenced to 14 years and 11 months behind bars after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. 

Following a probe conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, PC Burrows was charged with the same offence. 

The Greater Manchester Police officer denied causing death by dangerous driving, as well as an alternate charge of causing death by careless driving.

After a two-week trial at Chester Crown Court, PC Burrows was found not guilty on both charges on Thursday, May 7, 2026. 

Earlier in the trial, Jonathan Sandiford KC, prosecuting, told the jury how PC Burrows had followed the Audi, initially in accordance with prescribed police training.

The court heard how the officer, who was part of the force's Tactical Vehicle Interception Unit (TVIU), had been sent to the area in response to reports of a stolen car. 

The stolen Audi hit speeds of around 80mph in a 30mph zone, with PC Burrows found to be driving at 64mph after emergency braking. 

Ms Smedley was travelling home and was turning right into Otmoor Way, having used her indicators, at the time of the crash, forensic investigators found.  

During the trial, Mr Sandiford suggested 'red mist', which can descend on police officers during pursuits, may have caused the crash. 

He told the court 'red mist' is where a police officer becomes 'so focused' on catching their target they 'become blind and lose sight of the potential hazards and risks'.

The prosecution told the court PC Burrows drove the vehicle 'far below what is to be expected of a competent and careful police officer who had undertaken driver training'. 

CCTV footage showed the stolen Audi speeding past Ms Smedley's car on the wrong side of the road before the collision. 

The footage showed both cars swerving to overtake other vehicles before approaching a line of four cars, which included Ms Smedley's Peugeot. 

PC Burrows 'effectively followed' Doyle and the stolen Audi on the incorrect side of the road as they approached these cars, Mr Sandiford said. 

He said the officer had 'disregarded' his training regarding the overtaking of vehicles and had not seen evidence Ms Smedley was aware of his presence in the road before overtaking her car.

PC Burrows had braked as 'hard as he could', Mr Sandiford told the jury, and at the moment of impact his car was travelling at 64mph, which 'flipped' the mother-of-three's Peugeot into the air.

'The prosecution says that the defendant failed to see or heed what she was doing, and he was driving far too fast on a 30mph road and failed to realise that she was making a perfectly lawful right-hand turn across his path,' he said. 

PC Burrows told the court that the initial plan was for a colleague to deploy a stinger on Salmon Fields whilst he pursued the Audi. 

He said he was positioned across the white lines of Shaw Road to allow for maximum visibility during the pursuit.

After seeing the Audi drive past him on the other side of the road, he made a 180-degree manoeuvre to pursue it, PC Burrows added.  

In the moments leading up to the crash, PC Burrows' Golf reached speeds of over 80mph on the opposite side of the road.

A red Corsa, travelling ahead of him, indicated to the left while braking and moving to the side of the road, the officer said. 

PC Burrows confirmed he had activated his emergency equipment, including blue lights and a siren, to alert other road users to his presence.

He also said he was in an 'elevated position', and had positioned his car in the centre of the road to have a full view of the Audi A3.

When asked about Ms Smedley's Peugeot, PC Burrows said he saw her brake lights come on and then go off and then come 'on again strongly'. 

'I believed she had seen me and was adhering to the Highway Code and yielding to me,' PC Burrows told the court. 

In court, prosecutors accused PC Burrows of driving dangerously, but he maintained that he had been doing his 'level best'. 

Samuel Green KC, representing PC Burrows, said that video footage showed that Ms Smedley's vehicle did not move to the left side of the road.

PC Burrows said he believed Ms Smedley was moving to the near side of the road. 

He added that he was trying to give the other vehicles 'the best chance of seeing' him, while also trying to give himself a chance at the best view of the stolen vehicle. 

'I positioned myself on the white lines. I scanned left and right for any potential hazards,' he said. 

After overtaking the Corsa, he had braked, and then accelerated again before the picture 'completely changed' one second later.  

Weeping as he gave evidence, he said: 'The next thing I saw was the Peugeot indicating at the point of turning before it moved into my path.'

'I immediately applied emergency braking.' 

When asked by Mr Green if he had done anything but his level best, PC Burrows said: 'I was doing my level best, like any time I go to work.'

Ms Smedley's family paid an emotional tribute to the 'most wonderful mother' following her tragic death. 

'The world was a much better place with you in it,' they said. 'Our mum was the most kind, gentle, beautiful soul inside and out. 

'She faced all of life's challenges with her beautiful smile, and her bravery and courage never wavered.

'We could not have asked for a better role model growing up, giving everything, she had to all of those she loved, and always supporting those around her. 

'She was the glue that held our family together. Her resilience and kindness inspired us all to be better.

'She had the greatest sense of humour and a contagious laugh that we will miss every single day. 

'You were too good for this world mum. There will be a hole in our hearts forever.'

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: 'Mark Burrows went to work that day like any other day: intent on serving the public and keeping them safe from those who seek to do harm. 

'It is nothing short of tragic that an innocent woman died in the course of those duties.

'My thoughts are with Heather Smedley's loved ones who continue to mourn her devastating loss. 

'Only one man was responsible for Heather's death that day, and he's already behind bars.

'The impact of this incident on PC Burrows is lifelong and has been compounded by a criminal investigation. 

'It is important officers are held to account for their actions, but are not fearful of the consequences of putting themselves in harm's way.

'Our highly trained pursuit drivers are some of the thousands of brave and skilled officers who routinely face dangerous and difficult situations to protect the public. 

'They have my full support in continuing to use their specialist training to confront danger and keep you safe.'