PC Caroline Green, an Essex traffic officer, faced a terrifying incident while on duty that left her with serious injuries and lasting trauma. The incident occurred on 31 October 2020 in Grays, Essex, when Caroline stopped a speeding vehicle driven by Abiola Akilla.
Caroline noticed the vehicle speeding over a hill and pulled it over. She discovered that the driver, Akilla, was uninsured, unlicensed, and had her young child in the back seat. Caroline recalled, “I saw a car coming over the hill going over the speed limit, and it didn’t slow down. I pulled her over and she said the vehicle wasn’t hers and she didn’t have her licence on her. Then suddenly, she reversed back onto the road.”
As Caroline attempted to get Akilla into a layby and radioed for backup, the driver did the unthinkable. Caroline described the moment: “She drove right over me. Her front wheel went over my ankle, then up my leg. I thought she’d snapped it. I fell back, cracked my head on concrete, and she drove over my ribs and right shoulder. I was screaming in pain. Between the first and second wheels, I curled into a foetal position, but the back wheel crushed my legs, pelvis, and stomach.”
After running over Caroline, Akilla fled the scene. Fortunately, a passing motorist stopped and called emergency services. An air ambulance transported Caroline to the Royal London Hospital where she spent a week in intensive care. Her injuries included two broken ribs, three fractured ribs, a flail chest injury, ligament damage to her ankle, a head cut, swelling, abrasions, months of concussion, and a later diagnosis of PTSD.
Caroline was unable to return to police work until December 2021, and even then only in a limited capacity from home.
Akilla was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent. However, it took 17 months for the case to reach court. By the time of sentencing on 30 March 2022, the charge had been reduced to serious injury by dangerous driving. Caroline shared how the delay affected her mental health: “I had sleepless nights and headaches thinking about the court case. I’ve been on some form of recovery every day since. For her, the consequences are short-lived, but for me, they may last forever.”
Akilla received a 30-month prison sentence and a six-year driving ban. Caroline believes the sentence was too lenient. She said, “I want to stay with the police but can’t return to the frontline uniform work I loved. I’m only 14 years into my career but I don’t know where I fit now.”
Caroline credits the Essex Police Federation for their support throughout her ordeal. She said, “Laura Heggie, Federation Chair, visited me in hospital the day after and has supported me ever since. They put me in touch with an anxiety coach which really helped.”
Laura Heggie added, “Having seen the bodycam footage and heard Caroline’s screams, I cannot believe a nurse could drive off and leave her like that. Although the 30-month sentence was welcome, Akilla got off lightly. This shows the dangers our officers face daily – one moment can change your entire life.”
Caroline Green’s shocking experience highlights the risks police officers face on the streets. What started as a routine traffic stop turned into a life-changing tragedy.
Originally published by UKNIP.
