Fatal crash Pc quizzed over speed

Amanda Torkington died in the crash

A policewoman who crashed into a car, killing the driver, has told a court that she cannot recall how fast she was going before the impact.

Physiotherapist Amanda Torkington, 36, died when her Citroen Saxo was in collision with Pc Janet Wynne Jones' police van in November 2006.

Ms Jones, 31, has denied causing death by dangerous driving in the collision in Baguley, Greater Manchester.

She told a jury that to estimate her speed would be "a complete guess."

The Greater Manchester police officer had been responding to a call for assistance in a row over a bus fare when the crash happened on Altrincham Road.

Road conditions

Ms Jones drove through two sets of red traffic lights before her van hit Ms Torkington's car, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Despite the van coming to a stop 99 metres from the crash scene, she told the court she was in full control of the Ford transit van and driving "appropriately" for the road conditions.

Prosecuting, Rowena Goode said: "You must be able to tell us if you were going at 10mph or 20mph above the speed limit or 30mph.

"I suggest you can't say because you don't want to, isn't that the reality?"

"It would be a complete guess," the defendant answered.

One witness, who saw the incident from his nearby kitchen window, said he estimated Jones was driving at 60mph - twice the speed limit - the court heard.

Ms Torkington, from Edgeley, Stockport, Greater Manchester, had been on her way home from a church meeting when the collision happened.

The trial continues.