A police officer who ran a red light left one colleague in a coma and a veteran cop unable to return to frontline policing.

Ashleigh McAdams, 31, smashed into another Merseyside Police patrol car which was racing to a 999 call at a speed of around 70mph.

McAdams, of Tower Street in Brunswick Dock, admitted causing serious injury by careless driving at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

She was driving a marked Peugeot 308 with PC Charlotte Waters as her passenger when their car t-boned a marked Kia, driven by PC Gary Carson with PC Mark Lockett in the passenger seat on its way to a burglary, shortly after midnight on July 11 last year.

Ben Berkson, prosecuting, explained that guidance to police officers says red lights ‘should be treated in the same way as a stop or give way sign to minimise the risk to other road users’.

‘The prosecution say that Ms McAdams failed to properly give way as she should have done and failed to properly slow the vehicle,’ he added.

‘She failed to observe the vehicle and drove at excess speed across that carriageway.’

Dashcam footage from PC Carson’s vehicle showed him crash into the side of the other car, which was attempting a right-hand turn, at high speed before both collided with the central reservation.

McAdams, who has no previous convictions, accepted ‘she drove too quickly when the collision happened’ during police interview, admitting her memory was ‘foggy’.

She was admitted to Aintree Hospital for three days with a broken pelvis and fractured foot.

PC Carson had only ‘minor cuts and bruises’ but PC Waters suffered a collapsed lung and bleed on the brain, and was put into an induced coma for four days.

The former prison officer, who has been a police officer since 2020, was 22 at the time of the crash and has not been able to return to work since.

PC Waters said: ‘I feel too young to have this taken away from me. My job is part of my identity.

‘A massive part of my life has been taken away. I miss everything about work, I really enjoyed it.

‘This was going to be my long-term career. No two days were the same, now every day is the same.

‘I’m stuck in the house. My life has been turned upside down.

‘It is difficult to comprehend. I was told by one doctor that only 5% of people who suffer the injuries I suffered survive.

‘Another doctor said to me, “Welcome to your second life.” I thank my lucky stars, because this could have ended so differently.’

She still struggles with her speech and balance and ‘requires assistance with normal tasks’.

PC Lockett was left with slipped discs, whiplash and injuries to his neck, shoulders, coccyx, hips and ribs.

A dad and serving officer of 25 years, he was left with vertigo, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He said he suffers from nightmares and ‘wakes up in cold sweats’.

‘I have always carried an overwhelming sense of guilty in this,’ he added.

‘I wish I had been driving that night, it may have been different. I can’t believe it has had such a profound effect on my life.’

He returned to work on restricted duties in February, but suffered heart palpitations and a panic attack while driving into work, so went back on sick leave.

Richard Orme, defending, said McAdams had been urgently called to assist a colleague that evening and added: ‘This was a tragic, tragic set of circumstances, unfortunate in terms of the consequences and the timing of the emergency vehicle which never anticipated the presence of the other blue lights on the junction at that time. It is clear that serving the public has always been the raison d’etre for this young lady.

‘She carries a huge amount of guilt. She is a woman of the utmost integrity.

‘She is deeply ashamed. She apologises to the court.

‘She was focussed on an officer potentially in danger. She apologies to those whose lives have been affected by a momentary loss of concentration – this is something that is unlikely to happen again.’

He said her dad died of bowel cancer four months before the crash and she has also been diagnosed with PTSD.

McAdams remains a serving officer but is expected to face disciplinary proceedings.

She previously received a commendation for administering CPR to a murder victim in 2021, and has been recommended for another for her work during protests at the Suites Hotel in Kirkby in February this year.

Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: ‘The other vehicle was unable to avoid colliding with the side of your vehicle. A substantial collision occurred.

‘Although you and the driver of the other vehicle were exempt from observing certain rules of the road, you remained under a duty to have regard to the safety of your driving and how that could have an impact on others. You failed to properly slow down your vehicle or give way.

‘You did not see the other police vehicle travelling on that road. It seems your ability to see the approaching police car was reduced by the high speed at which that vehicle was travelling and the layout of the junction itself, with a limited view around the bend.

‘This was an unusual incident with unfortunate consequences for all concerned. The expert concluded that your driving was the primary cause of the collision, with some proportion of blame to the driving of the other police vehicle.

‘This was not an offence committed with any malice. You clearly did not intend to harm anyone that night.

‘You committed the offence when rushing to try to help officers who you thought may be in danger. It is clear that you are someone who has dedicated yourself to a better life.

‘Your employment record in the police is described as exemplary. It is clear to me that you have dedicated yourself to others.

‘You are described as a rule follower who is diligent and a fierce advocate for people. Police officers speak glowingly of your character and your drive to help others.’

He ruled out a custodial term as the offending is ‘unlikely to happen again’ and acknowledged a suspended sentence ‘is likely to be career ending’.

McAdams was given a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days, and 180 hours of unpaid work.

She was also banned from driving for a year and will be required to pay £500 in court costs.

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