A Metropolitan Police officer has denied the charge of causing the death of a pregnant woman by dangerous driving. Mariam Ahmed, 38, died on October 17, 2024, after her car was involved in a high-speed collision on Eltham Road in Eltham, south-east London. Her unborn child could not be saved.
PC Chris Johnson, 56, pleaded not guilty to the charge at the Old Bailey. A second officer, former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, denied dangerous driving prior to the crash.
The court heard that both officers, who were on duty in separate vehicles as part of a “pre-planned deployment,” were allegedly traveling at speeds exceeding 70 mph in a 30 mph zone. Prosecutors stated that the officers overtook traffic on the wrong side of the road for approximately 130 meters.
According to prosecutor Louise Oakley KC, Johnson, who was driving the police vehicle involved in the collision, was traveling at about 50 mph at the point of impact. Tomkins, whose vehicle was not involved in the collision itself, allegedly overtook Ms. Ahmed at 78 mph shortly before the crash.