PC Mark Roberts, from Darlington, will also be tried for causing serious injury to the rider of the same motorbike by dangerous driving.
But the 56-year-old officer has, in each case, admitted that both the death of Muriel Pinkney and the serious injury to her husband Ronald were caused by his careless driving.
But Durham Crown Court was told that the prosecution in the case does not accept those pleas and therefore a trial will be required on the two dangerous driving charges.
(Image: The Northern Echo) (Image: Northumbria Police)A date was provisionally agreed for the trial, lasting up to a week, to be heard at the court starting on May 11, 2026.
But the court was told that the venue may change administratively and it may be heard at Teesside Crown Court.
If that is agreed then the date may also be altered.
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The charges arise from the death of 74-year-old Mrs Pinkney and the serious injury to Mr Pinkney, who was aged 77 at the time.
He suffered multiple fractures to his leg, hip and pelvis, in a collision with the officer’s marked police vehicle, on Dunston Road, near to the Metrocentre, in Gateshead, shortly after 3pm on Friday July 8, 2022.
Judge Nathan Adams bailed the defendant pending trial, subject to confirmation of the date and venue, following clarification of the acting resident judge, Judge Jonathan Carroll, at Teesside Crown Court.