Overview
- A judge at Nottingham Crown Court sentenced former Derbyshire Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cooper to three years and seven months in prison on 17 July 2026 after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
- The crash occurred on 28 September 2021 in Egginton Road, Etwall, when Cooper’s unmarked police car struck a woman and then hit educational psychologist James Bane, who died at the scene.
- Court evidence showed Cooper had a long history of unexplained blackouts and had been advised by a neurologist in 2009 to stop driving and notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, instructions he did not follow.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded Cooper made a conscious decision to drive despite his condition, the force found he had misused an unmarked police car for personal trips, and he has been added to the police barred list to prevent future employment in policing.
- Victims’ statements and Mr Justice Sweeting’s sentencing comments stressed the avoidable human cost of the crash and the decision to drive, and the case may prompt closer scrutiny of how medical fitness and vehicle use are monitored for serving officers.