Metropolitan Police Officers Appear in Court Over Fatal Crash That Killed Pregnant Woman

Two Metropolitan Police officers have appeared in court following a tragic crash in south-east London that claimed the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Pc Chris Johnson, 56, and former Pc Danny Tomkins, 35, attended Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in connection with the fatal collision that happened on Eltham Road on October 17, 2024.

The victim, 38-year-old Mariam Ahmed, died after her Volkswagen Polo was struck during a high-speed police operation. Her unborn baby also could not be saved.

During the hearing, prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC told the court that both officers were driving at speeds exceeding 70mph in a 30mph zone while responding to a pre-planned police deployment targeting suspected criminal vehicles.

The court heard that the officers allegedly overtook traffic by driving on the wrong side of the road for around 130 metres moments before the crash occurred.

Johnson, who was driving the police vehicle involved in the collision, is accused of causing death by dangerous driving. Prosecutors said he had accelerated “to the maximum capability” of the vehicle and was travelling at around 80mph shortly before the impact. At the moment of the crash, he was reportedly travelling at approximately 50mph while braking heavily.

Tomkins, who was driving a second police vehicle that was not directly involved in the collision, was said to have overtaken Ms Ahmed’s car at 78mph shortly before the fatal incident. He denied a charge of dangerous driving during Thursday’s hearing.

The prosecution stated that Ms Ahmed had indicated to turn off the road before the collision happened.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Johnson remains attached to the Met’s Taskforce unit, while Tomkins has since left the force.

The charges follow an investigation carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which launched a probe after receiving a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police.

Both men were granted unconditional bail and are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on June 25.