Police officers charged after death of a pregnant woman in horror car crash

Peter Stevens
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:25:32 +0000

Two police officers have been charged after a pregnant woman in London died in a fatal collision.

The woman, 38, died after her vehicle was involved in a crash in Eltham on October 17, 2024.

Her unborn child sadly died at the scene, and she later died in hospital from her injuries.

Two Metropolitan Police officers have been charged in connection with the incident, when an unmarked police car had a collision with another car on the A20, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

PC Chris Johnson, 56, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, has also been charged with dangerous driving.

Mr Johnson and Mr Tomkins were attached to the Met's Taskforce at the time.

The two are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 28.

The charges follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Acting Detective Chief Superintendent James Derham, who leads policing in Greenwich, said: "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 said the IOPC conducted a "thorough and complex investigation" which the Met closely worked with.

LONDON - READ THE LATEST:

London synagogue targeted in attempted firebomb attack just weeks after Jewish ambulances torched

Southport killer guarded by four prison officers amid fears inquiry could trigger further violence

Several injured after stolen Mercedes crashes into pedicab in central London following police chase

"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," he added.

The IOPC referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service after its investigation concluded in October 2025.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime division, said: "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."

Death by driving carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing guidelines recommending a sentence ranging from two to 18 years.

Dangerous driving without a death carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment.

There were an estimated 1,579 road deaths in Britain for the year ending June 2025.