Police Officer Jailed After Woman Killed by Patrol Car on Emergency Call
A woman has tragically died after being hit by a police patrol car rushing to an emergency. The officer behind the wheel faced jail time for the fatal crash.
Fatal Crash on Stockwell Road
Shante Daniel-Folkes, 25, was struck and killed on the southbound A203 Stockwell Road on 9 June 2021. The injuries proved instantly fatal.
PC Nadeem Patel, 28, was driving the marked police car that hit Ms Daniel-Folkes. He had been responding to a 999 call when the accident occurred. Patel later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
On 24 February 2023, Patel was sentenced to three years in jail and banned from driving for 54 months.
Second Officer Convicted of Careless Driving
PC Gary Thomson, 31, who was leading the police convoy ahead of Patel, was found guilty of careless driving by a jury at the Old Bailey after a four-day trial.
Ms Daniel-Folkes was crossing the road near a pedestrian crossing around 11.20pm when Thomson’s police car sped past with sirens and lights flashing.
Seconds later, Patel’s vehicle struck her. He had switched off his front emergency lights to avoid blinding Thomson but kept the siren on.
Speeding at Dangerous Levels in Built-Up Area
- Although exempt from the 30mph limit while responding to an emergency, Patel reached speeds of up to 83.9mph only 115 metres from where the crash happened.
- At impact, he was travelling around 55mph, braking from over 81mph seconds before the collision.
- Thomson’s car also sped between 70-79mph, exceeding safe limits for a residential zone.
Thomson was fined £500 and received five penalty points on his licence.
Investigation and Response
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) carried out the investigation into the crash.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Shante Daniel-Folkes following this avoidable tragedy.
“Both officers, though exempt from the speed limit while on a 999 call, were driving at motorway speeds in an urban area full of hazards — pedestrians, cyclists, oncoming cars, an open convenience store, and a nearby pub hosting 30-40 people.”
“There was a clear risk of injury driving at those speeds in the dark, and both officers fell far below the standard expected of careful, competent drivers that night.
“PC Patel admitted causing Shante’s death by dangerous driving. We hope his sentence, along with today’s verdict against PC Thomson, brings some comfort to her family in this devastating time.”
