A former detective chief inspector has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for causing the death of a father and serious injury to another individual when he blacked out at the wheel and crashed his police car. Michael Cooper, 55, was driving an unmarked police vehicle in September 2021 when he lost consciousness and collided with parked cars, tragically crushing educational psychologist James Bane between two vehicles. Mr. Bane, a father of two, was standing on the street after a school visit when the incident occurred and was pronounced dead at the scene in Etwall, Derbyshire. A woman also struck by Cooper’s car sustained severe injuries and continues to experience lasting pain and psychological distress.
History of Blackouts and Driving Conviction
Cooper, who had a documented history of unexplained blackouts for nearly two decades, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He had initially denied the charges but changed his plea before sentencing. The court heard that Cooper should not have been driving due to his medical condition, which had previously led to warnings from medical professionals. Samuel Skinner KC, prosecuting, informed Nottingham Crown Court that a consultant neurologist had advised Cooper approximately 12 years prior to the fatal crash not to drive and to report his condition to the DVLA. However, Cooper failed to inform the relevant authorities or his insurance company about his blackouts.
Medical Concerns and Continued Driving
The court was told that Cooper had expressed significant concerns about his blackouts to doctors, fearing activities such as driving, swimming, or working at heights. The condition is suspected to be linked to cardiac issues like Stokes-Adams syndrome, where the heart momentarily stops, or epilepsy. Despite these profound personal anxieties and explicit medical advice, Cooper continued to drive. Mr. Skinner emphasized that Cooper “courted a dangerous risk every time that he got into the driver’s seat of a vehicle.” Cooper has also been disqualified from driving for five years.
Judge’s Sentencing Remarks
During the sentencing, Judge Mr. Justice Sweeting stated that Cooper had demonstrated a “callous disregard of the potential danger he posed.” The judge characterized the death of James Bane as a “wholly avoidable tragedy.” The incident unfolded around 11:30 am when Mr. Bane, who had just visited three children at a local primary school, was returning to his car. Cooper’s unmarked black Peugeot first struck the female pedestrian before veering onto the kerb and colliding with two parked cars, pinning Mr. Bane between them.
Impact on the Victim’s Family
Catherine Bane, the wife of the deceased, delivered a poignant statement in court, describing her husband as “thoughtful, dedicated, respected and greatly missed.” She conveyed the devastating impact of his death, stating, “When James was killed, everything I knew was ripped away. The many dreams we had were shattered, and the future I had envisaged was lost.” Mrs. Bane also expressed her astonishment at Cooper’s apparent lack of remorse, telling him, “It is staggering to me you have never demonstrated any contrition, nor reached out to say you are sorry.”
Resignation and Legal Proceedings
Michael Cooper resigned from his position as a detective chief inspector in 2024, following the incident. The legal proceedings culminated in his conviction and subsequent sentencing for the severe offenses committed. The case highlights the critical importance of adhering to medical advice regarding driving and the severe consequences when such guidance is disregarded, particularly for individuals in positions of public trust.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Michael Cooper brings a measure of closure to the family of James Bane, though the profound loss and ongoing suffering of the injured woman remain. The case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities associated with driving and the devastating outcomes that can arise from failing to manage known medical conditions that impair driving ability. The three-year and seven-month prison sentence reflects the gravity of causing death and serious injury through dangerous driving, compounded by the defendant’s prior knowledge of his medical risks.
