Two officers from the Metropolitan Police have been formally charged following a tragic incident in which a pregnant woman and her unborn child lost their lives in a collision with an unmarked police vehicle in southeast London.
PC Chris Johnson faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, while former PC Danny Tomkins has been charged with dangerous driving. These charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The incident occurred on October 17, 2024, on the A20 near the junction with Kidbrooke Park in Kidbrooke. The 38-year-old woman’s child was pronounced dead at the scene, and she later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
Both officers are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates‘ Court on May 28.
According to the IOPC, Johnson was operating the vehicle involved in the crash, while Tomkins‘ charges relate to his driving behavior in a second vehicle. The IOPC concluded its investigation in October of the previous year.
Acting Detective Chief Superintendent James Derham expressed condolences, stating, „Our thoughts remain with the woman’s family and friends, who continue to grieve the loss of her and her unborn child. This was a truly terrible and heartbreaking incident.“ He added that the IOPC conducted a thorough investigation and emphasized the importance of not commenting further to avoid prejudicing the upcoming court proceedings.
As the case unfolds, the community continues to mourn the loss of the woman and her child, with tributes being laid at the crash site.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Wolfgang Weiser auf Unsplash
