A POLICE officer is to face magistrates over a road accident which has left a mother-of-three in a coma for the past four months.

Linda Donaldson, 51, was injured in a collision with a patrol car as she crossed Welbeck Road, near her home in Walker, Newcastle, in April.

She has remained in Newcastle General Hospital without regaining consciousness.

The police driver involved was suspended from duty after the accident.

An investigation has been carried out - led by the Police Complaints Authority - and the officer is to be reported for dangerous driving.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said yesterday: ''After a full and thorough investigation carried out by Northumbria's professional standards department, under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the police officer driving the car has been reported for an offence of dangerous driving.

''A summons is being issued and the officer will be appearing in court."

The spokeswoman said no court date was available yet.