The policeman at the centre of the scandal which has engulfed Norfolk Police could be sacked after a screeching U-turn by the constabulary.
Initially Norfolk Constabulary accepted PC Karl Warren's claim he had suffered amnesia at the time of the incident.
But, after an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ruling, the force has backtracked. PC Warren will now face a gross misconduct hearing.
PC Warren, at the time an armed officer, failed to stop after driving into the back of a woman’s car at almost 50mph - an incident which has been dubbed 'Amnesiagate'.
The police watchdog said too much emphasis had been placed on “contradictory and conflicting” medical evidence that he had been suffering amnesia during and immediately after the crash.
READ MORE: IOPC overrules Norfolk police hit-and-run scandal decision
READ MORE: 10 things we know about Norfolk police hit-and-run scandal
READ MORE: Norfolk police hit-and-run officer KNEW he had amnesia
Norfolk police was given 28 days to inform the Norwich woman he crashed into how it intended to proceed following the IOPC review recommendations.
Welcoming the news the victim, 34, said: "Hopefully at these hearings the truth will come out.
"And the biggest question now is if Warren has had episodes like this before why was he still checking out a gun before every shift? And did anyone else in the force know? And why was the recording of his first interview deleted?
"I just want some answers. Then hopefully the police can begin to rebuild the trust of the people of Norfolk."
In its official response, seen by this newspaper, Detective Superintendent Tracey Little, the head of Norfolk police’s professional standards, said PC Warren will now be subject to a hearing where the maximum outcome could be dismissal without notice.
She said further clarification had been sought over the ‘case to answer test’ applied to the medical evidence but the force had now “accepted the IOPC recommendation and will be proceeding with disciplinary proceedings against PC Warren”.
The armed officer drove a BMW X5 marked vehicle into the back of an Audi on the A146 between Beccles and Lowestoft in March 2022.
READ MORE: ‘Not good enough’ - Woman on hit-and-run scandal and police response
READ MORE: Norfolk chief constable admits failings in hit-and-run case
READ MORE: Ex-officers describe 'disbelief' at 'appalling' hit-and-run scandal
A second road policing officer, PC Ryan Hargrave, who was a passenger, is also facing disciplinary proceedings for not reporting the crash at the time.
Police have confirmed he will face a lesser misconduct meeting, where the maximum outcome could be a final written warning, on October 17.
The meeting at police headquarters at Wymondham, to be chaired by Superintendent Louis Provart, will see the officer represented by a member of Norfolk Police Federation, the body which supports rank-and-file officers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here