Cop Found Guilty After Horrific Boxing Day Crash Leaves Teen Brain-Damaged
Sarah De Meulemeester, 26, was behind the wheel of a police car responding to an emergency on Boxing Day 2020 when she struck 15-year-old Khia Whitehead on Garner’s Lane, Stockport.
Khia suffered catastrophic injuries and remains in hospital with permanent brain damage, unable to communicate.
Dangerous Driving Blamed for Tragic Crash
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) proved in court that De Meulemeester was driving dangerously. She sped over 40mph in a 30mph zone and veered onto the wrong side of a ‘keep left’ traffic island in dark, wet conditions, putting pedestrians at serious risk.
Guilty Verdict Delivered at Liverpool Crown Court
After a trial, a jury at Liverpool Crown Court found De Meulemeester guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She is due to be sentenced on 19 May.
“The officer’s driving created an unacceptable risk and was the cause of this tragic collision, which had such devastating consequences for Khia, who was a young man with his whole life ahead of him,” said Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division.
“Our thoughts remain with Khia’s friends and family following this verdict.”
