London car crash tragedy: Two Metropolitan police officers charged in death of pregnant woman and unborn baby

Two Metropolitan Police officers have been charged after a devastating car crash in south-east London that killed a 38-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child. The incident took place on Eltham Road near Kidbrooke on October 17, 2024, when the woman’s car collided with an unmarked police car.The unborn child was pronounced dead at the scene, and the woman later died of her injuries at a hospital, authorities said.

Charges Against Current and Former Officials

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charged police officer Chris Johnson, 56, with causing death by dangerous driving. Johnson was driving one of the police cars involved in the collision and is now part of the Metropolitan Task Force.Former police officer Danny Tomkins, 35, who was driving the second police car, was charged with dangerous driving in relation to his standard of driving.Both officers are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 28.

Police watchdog launches investigation

The charges follow a detailed investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which launched the investigation following a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police Service. The regulator submitted its findings to the CPS in October 2025 after completing its investigation.Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS Special Crimes Unit, said prosecutors found sufficient evidence and determined it was in the public interest to pursue the case.

Police response and caution to trial

Acting Detective Chief Superintendent James Denham, who leads Greenwich Policing, expressed his condolences to the victim’s family, saying the incident was “truly horrific and heartbreaking”.He added that as legal proceedings were ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further for fear of jeopardizing the case.