Two police officers have been formally charged in connection with the tragic death of a pregnant woman in London following a serious collision.
The incident occurred on October 17, 2024, when the 38-year-old woman’s vehicle was involved in a crash in Eltham. Unfortunately, her unborn child also died at the scene, and she succumbed to her injuries later in the hospital.
The officers from the Metropolitan Police, identified as PC Chris Johnson, 56, and former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, face charges related to the incident, which involved an unmarked police vehicle colliding with another car on the A20, near the intersection with Kidbrooke Park.
Details of the Charges
PC Chris Johnson has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, while Danny Tomkins faces charges of dangerous driving. At the time of the incident, both officers were part of the Met’s Taskforce.
The two officers are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates‘ Court on May 28.
Investigation and Official Statements
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Acting Detective Chief Superintendent James Derham, who oversees policing in Greenwich, 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.“
Mr. Derham noted that the IOPC carried out a thorough and complex investigation, which was conducted in close collaboration with the Metropolitan Police.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the court proceedings, stating,
„It is important that nothing is said that could prejudice the court proceedings that will now follow, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.“
Crown Prosecution Service Involvement
The IOPC submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after concluding its investigation in October 2025. Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s special crime division, remarked,
„Following a thorough review of the evidence in this case, we have authorised criminal charges against one current and one former police officer. Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.“
Legal Implications
The charge of causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with sentencing guidelines suggesting a range of two to 18 years. In contrast, dangerous driving without resulting in death can lead to a maximum sentence of two years.
According to estimates, there were approximately 1,579 road fatalities in Britain for the year ending June 2025.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Asim Rehman auf Unsplash
