Two officers charged after fatal Eltham collision

A Met officer and former Met officer have been charged following a fatal collision in Eltham in October 2024.

PC Chris Johnson has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and former PC Danny Tomkins has been charged with dangerous driving. The charges follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

PC Johnson is attached to the Met's Taskforce. Former PC Tomkins was attached to the same unit at the time of the incident.

Both are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 28 May.

The charges relate to an incident that took place on Thursday, 17 October 2024, when an unmarked police car was involved in a collision with another car on the A20, near the junction with Kidbrooke Park, SE19.

A 38-year-old woman, who was heavily pregnant, was driving the car at the time of the collision. Her baby sadly died at the scene and she later died in hospital from her injuries.

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.

“The IOPC have conducted a thorough and complex investigation and we have worked closely with them as their enquiries have progressed. Following that process, an officer and former officer have now been charged.

“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.”

Note to editors

• The family of the woman, who have not named at their request, has specifically asked for privacy and do not wish to speak to media.