A police officer reached speeds of up to 93mph during a fatal police chase through a city centre that killed a doctor, 35, a court heard.

Matthew Pike, 40, was pursuing a white Volkswagen Tiguan through Bristol shortly before midnight on November 4 2021 when he collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Dr Keryl Johnson.

Dr Johnson was badly injured in the crash at Newfoundland Circus and died several days later in hospital, Bristol Crown Court was told.

PC Pike was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.  

Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, told the court that Lewis Griffin's driving - who was behind the wheel of the white Tiguan - was the 'primary and immediate cause' of Dr Johnson's death. 

But that PC Pike's driving was also 'dangerous and contributed too, and so in terms of law, caused her death'.

The court heard that PC Pike, who was driving a BMW, was trained to the most advanced level for police driving, had received all relevant refresher training, and was authorised for pursuit driving.

The pursuit began when PC Pike activated his blue lights and sirens but Mr Griffin did not stop.

Matthew Pike (pictured), 40, was pursuing a white Volkswagen Tiguan through Bristol shortly before midnight on November 4 2021 when he collided with a Honda Jazz being driven by Dr Keryl Johnson

Ms Ledward described how the BMW and Volkswagen drove from Totterdown, past Bristol Temple Meads railway station, to Bond Street and then on smaller residential streets in Stokes Croft.

They went the wrong way down two one-way streets before returning to the roads near the Cabot Circus shopping centre, where the fatal collision happened.

Forensic experts were able to examine external CCTV cameras to produce average speeds at specific locations for both vehicles during the pursuit.

'After review, there is no dispute between the collision investigator who has been instructed by the prosecution, and the expert instructed by the defence,' the prosecutor said.

Ms Ledward told the jury: 'The BMW records very high speeds there afterwards and in terms of the calculation, an average of 70mph between Dean Street and Wilder Street, and then on the approach to Portland Square.

'We would suggest the Cleartone footage (from the BMW police car) and the CCTV suggest that on this stretch after the City Road the BMW was not hanging about, and in fact gaining ground on the Volkswagen as they approach Portland Square.'

The court heard that as PC Pike pursued Mr Griffin through the city the officer reached speeds of up to 93mph as they reached the Old Market roundabout.

CCTV camera captured the collision between the Volkswagen and Dr Johnson's car.

Bristol Crown Court where PC Pike is on trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving