A Metropolitan Police officer was driving at around 80mph on the wrong side of the road moments before a crash that killed a pregnant woman, a court has heard. Mariam Ahmed, 38, died after her Volkswagen Polo was involved in a high-speed collision on Eltham Road, south-east London, on October 17 2024.
Pc Chris Johnson, 56, who has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday alongside former Pc Danny Tomkins, 35. The court heard both men were on duty and driving separate vehicles at over 70mph in a 30mph zone, overtaking cars by driving on the wrong side for approximately 130 metres.
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC said Johnson reached speeds of around 80mph and appeared to accelerate to the maximum capability of his vehicle. At the point of impact, he was braking heavily at about 50mph. Tomkins, driving a second police car not involved in the collision, overtook Ms Ahmed at 78mph before the crash.
The officers were part of a pre-planned deployment targeting vehicles suspected of criminal activity. Ms Ahmed was travelling in the same direction and had indicated to turn off before the collision. The charges follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Both men have been granted unconditional bail and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on June 25. Johnson is attached to the Met’s Taskforce, while Tomkins was in the same unit at the time but has since left the force.
