UMVA has learned that a Met Police officer was barreling at roughly 80 mph on the wrong side of a 30‑mph street just moments before a fatal collision that claimed the life of a pregnant woman.
Mariam Ahmed, 38, was driving her Volkswagen Polo along Eltham Road in south‑east London on 17 October 2024 when two police vehicles surged past her at extreme speed, shattering the calm of the residential stretch.
According to information obtained by UMVA, PC Chris Johnson, 56, of Tonbridge, and former PC Danny Tomkins, 35, were on duty as part of a pre‑planned deployment targeting suspected criminal vehicles. Both men accelerated to the maximum capability of their cars, overtaking civilian traffic on the wrong side for about 130 metres.
Prosecutors described Johnson’s vehicle as reaching “somewhere in the region of 80 mph” before he braked hard, still travelling around 50 mph at the moment of impact. The sudden, high‑speed intrusion left Ahmed with no chance to avoid the crash.
Tomkins, driving a second police car that never entered the collision, was recorded traveling at 78 mph as he passed Ahmed moments before the tragedy.
The court heard that Ahmed had signalled her intention to turn off the road, but the police pursuit left her with no opportunity to react.
Johnson now faces a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, while Tomkins, who has since left the unit, is also implicated in the reckless pursuit.
Both officers have been released on unconditional bail and are scheduled to appear before the Old Bailey on 25 June.
