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A former detective chief inspector has admitted causing the death of an educational psychologist by dangerous driving.
Michael Cooper, who previously worked for Derbyshire Police, was accused of killing 50-year-old pedestrian James Bane while driving a Peugeot 208 in Etwall, Derbyshire, in September 2021.
The 54-year-old had previously denied the offence, but changed his plea to guilty before he was due to stand trial at Nottingham Crown Court today.
Cooper, of Etwall, also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving to a female victim, a woman in her 30s who cannot be named for legal reasons, in the same incident.
A coroner heard previously that Cooper was on duty when he was at the wheel of the unmarked Peugeot 208.
The defendant was released on bail to be sentenced at the same court on July 17.
A large number of family members relating to both victims attended court for the 10-minute hearing, sitting in the public gallery.
Cooper, wearing a dark suit and tie, listened from the dock as his barrister, Adrian Keeling, KC, said he had pleaded guilty to the charges on the basis he 'accepted it was dangerous for him to drive in the context of his medical history'.
James Bane was an 'exceptionally well liked and talented psychologist'
He added: 'That is a basis the prosecution accepts.'
While discussing a sentencing date, Mr Keeling said Cooper's son, who is in his early 20s, has OCD, adding that Cooper 'assists him on a day-to-day basis'.
He also told the court that Cooper's mother is unwell, and could be affected if he were jailed.
Judge Mr Justice Sweeting gave no indication of what sentence he may pass, but did impose an interim six-month driving ban on Cooper, which he said will count towards any disqualification he eventually imposes.
In April last year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced Cooper had been charged with the offences following an investigation it carried out.
In a statement, the watchdog added: 'The charges relate to a fatal road traffic collision in Egginton Road, Etwall, Derbyshire, at around noon on September 28 2021.
'We began our investigation after receiving a mandatory referral from Derbyshire Constabulary. 'At the end of our investigation we sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges.'
Following the collision, an inquest heard told that father-of-two Mr Bane died from fatal injuries sustained to his pelvis when he was struck by an unmarked police car.
Opening the inquest into his death in October 2021, Derbyshire Area Coroner Peter Nieto told Derby Coroner's Court: 'The incident involved an unmarked police vehicle which was being driven by an on-duty Derbyshire police officer along Egginton Road.
'It collided with an unattended stationary car, and then continued travelling and then collided with Mr Bane, trapping him between the police vehicle and his own vehicle, sadly causing what proved to be fatal injuries.'
At an earlier court hearing, District Judge Sunil Khanna granted a prosecution application to prevent publication of the injured woman's name and address because she had been left 'deeply traumatised' with psychological injuries.
A tribute carried on the British Psychological Society website said Mr Bane was an 'exceptionally well liked and talented psychologist, with a unique sense of humour'.