A Metropolitan Police officer was driving at approximately 80mph on the wrong side of a 30mph road moments before a collision that killed a pregnant woman, a court has heard.
Fatal Crash on Eltham Road
Mariam Ahmed, 38, died after her Volkswagen Polo was involved in a high-speed crash on Eltham Road in south-east London on October 17, 2024. Her unborn child could not be saved.
PC Chris Johnson, 56, and former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. They spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth.
Prosecution Details
Prosecuting, Catherine Farrelly KC said both men were on duty and driving separate vehicles at speeds exceeding 70mph on a 30mph road. She added that they both overtook cars by driving on the wrong side of the road for roughly 130 metres at high speed, moments before the crash.
Johnson, of Tonbridge, was driving the vehicle involved in the collision and reached “somewhere in the region of 80mph,” the court heard. “He appeared to have accelerated to the maximum capability of the vehicle he was driving,” said Ms Farrelly.
At the point of impact, Johnson, who has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, was travelling at around 50mph and “braking to the maximum,” the prosecution said.
Tomkins, driving a second police vehicle not involved in the collision, overtook Ms Ahmed at 78mph before the crash, the court heard. He denied dangerous driving on Thursday.
Background of the Incident
Ms Farrelly said: “The two of them were on duty as part of a pre-planned deployment targeting vehicles that were suspected to be involved in criminal activity.” Ms Ahmed was travelling in the same direction on the same road as the officers and had indicated to turn off before the collision, the court heard.
The force has said Johnson is attached to the Met’s Taskforce. Tomkins was attached to the same unit at the time of the incident but has since left.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The charges follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which began a probe after a mandatory referral from the Met. The two men have been granted unconditional bail and will next appear at the Old Bailey on June 25.
