A Metropolitan Police officer was driving on the wrong side of the road at approximately 80mph moments before a collision that resulted in the death of a pregnant woman, a court has heard. Mariam Ahmed, 38, was behind the wheel of her Volkswagen Polo on Eltham Road in south-east London on October 17, 2024, when a high-speed crash occurred. Her unborn child could not be saved.
Court Appearance
Police Constable Chris Johnson, 56, and former Police Constable Danny Tomkins, 35, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Both men confirmed their names, addresses, and dates of birth during the hearing. Johnson has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, while Tomkins faces a charge of dangerous driving.
Prosecution Details
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC stated that both officers were on duty as part of a pre-planned operation targeting vehicles suspected of involvement in criminal activity. They were driving separate vehicles and exceeded 70mph in a 30mph zone. Moments before the crash, both overtook cars by driving on the wrong side of the road for approximately 130 metres at high speed.
Johnson, from Tonbridge, was driving the vehicle that struck Ms Ahmed's car. The court heard that he accelerated to the maximum capability of his vehicle, reaching around 80mph. At the point of impact, Johnson was travelling at about 50mph and braking as hard as possible, according to the prosecution. Tomkins, who was driving a second police vehicle not involved in the collision, overtook Ms Ahmed at 78mph just before the crash.
Ms Ahmed was travelling in the same direction as the officers and had indicated to turn off before the collision occurred.
Background and Next Steps
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Johnson is attached to the Met's Taskforce. Tomkins was also attached to the same unit at the time of the incident but has since left the force. The charges follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which began a probe after a mandatory referral from the Met. Both men have been granted unconditional bail and are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on June 25.
