PCs to face death charges after head-on collision leaves man dead

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Pc Sean Schofield, 38, and Pc Andrew Massingham, 41, of Lancashire Constabulary, are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on February 11 in connection with the death 67-year-old Peter Williams.

The decision follows an IPCC investigation into the fatal incident.

Mr Williams, of Bolton-le-Sands, Lancashire, died after his car hit a marked police Volvo V70 on the B6254 between the villages of Arkholme and Over Kellet, near Lancaster, on November 2.

The Volvo, driven by Pc Schofield, was one of two police cars on a training run to test an electronic system for measuring vehicle speed. Pc Messingham was driving the lead vehicle in the convoy.

A third officer, who was the passenger in the car being driven by Pc Schofield, will not face criminal charges.

The crash happened as Mr Williams and his wife Jean were travelling to enjoy a weekend break in the Yorkshire Dales last year.

As the two marked police cars came round a bend on the narrow country road in broad daylight, the lead vehicle hit the Williams's VW Touran head-on.

Retired academic Mr Williams suffered severe chest and leg injuries and died in Lancaster Royal Infirmary the following day.

His wife sustained multiple fractures, while Pc Schofield suffered internal bruising and his colleague suffered a broken leg.

Lancashire Police did not say why the speed monitoring equipment was being tested on an accident-prone minor road rather than a motorway where conditions are safer.

Mr Williams's sons, Geoff and Brian, at the time described their father as "a kind and generous man with a terrific sense of humour."