A FORMER police officer who caused a fatal crash by driving at speeds up to 110mph while responding to an emergency would have been dismissed if he had not quit his role, a special case hearing has found.

The hearing followed a trial in August at Worcester Crown Court where PC Jamie Holloway was found guilty of causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving following an horrific crash on the A449 between Kidderminster and Worcester on May 28, 2018.

The West Mercia Police officer, a qualified advanced driver and trained firearms officer, had collided with the rear of a Ford Fiesta which was in a queue of traffic travelling at 37mph and signalling and moving to turn right.

Holloway, however, who was driving an unmarked BMW X5 with lights and sirens on in a 50mph zone, smashed into the Fiesta - severely injuring motorist David Shaw, aged 53, who died in hospital two weeks after the crash.

Former soldier Holloway, who had 19 years’ service in the police, was cleared by jury of causing death by dangerous driving but was convicted by a majority verdict of causing death by careless driving.

In September he was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, was disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work in the community, and to pay costs.

Holloway had resigned from the force after he was convicted in August but a special case hearing went ahead today (Monday December 20) and found he breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct.

The breach was so serious it amounted to gross misconduct and the chairman, Chief Constable Pippa Mills, found Holloway would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned; and he will now be added to the College of Policing Barred List.

Chief Constable Mills said: “Officers take professionally judged risks, day in and day out, in their commitment to protect the public from harm. In the vast majority of cases those risks are well judged, and help protect the public. However, it is right that police officers are accountable for their actions.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Shaw.”

The hearing is subject to the usual appeal process.