A devastating collision on a quiet Derbyshire road nearly five years ago left a family shattered and a community in shock. The driver responsible for the tragedy, former Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cooper, 55, has finally admitted causing the death of 50-year-old James Bane and seriously injuring another woman by his own dangerous driving.
The incident occurred on Egginton Road, Etwall, at around 2:30pm on 28 September 2021. According to reports, Cooper's Peugeot 208 collided with a pedestrian, resulting in fatal injuries to Mr Bane and leaving the female victim with serious injuries. The woman cannot be identified due to a court order.
Cooper, who had previously denied the charges, changed his plea just as his trial was about to begin at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday. His barrister, Adrian Keeling KC, revealed that Cooper accepted it was "dangerous for him to drive in light of his medical history", providing a crucial context to the former officer's actions leading up to the crash.
Following an extensive investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), charges were brought against Cooper in April 2025. This timeline highlights the lengthy period of inquiry and legal process that ultimately led to Monday's plea.
Judge Mr Justice Sweeting has granted Cooper bail until his sentencing hearing, scheduled for 17 July. As part of this, an interim driving disqualification has been imposed, which will contribute towards the full disqualification expected following the sentencing.