Police Officers Under Criminal Investigation After Pregnant Woman, Baby Killed in Crash
Two Metropolitan Police officers are under criminal investigation after a pregnant woman and her baby were killed in a collision with an unmarked police car in Eltham, southeast London, on October 17.
The tragic incident occurred when the woman’s car was struck by one of two unmarked police vehicles responding to an unrelated emergency. Both vehicles had their emergency lights activated at the time of the crash.
Following the crash, both officers involved have been placed under investigation for potential driving offences, including causing death by dangerous driving. They are also being probed for possible gross misconduct. A third officer, a passenger in the vehicle that collided with the woman’s car, is also being investigated for potential gross misconduct.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is overseeing the investigation and has confirmed that they are reviewing dashcam footage, local CCTV, witness statements, and police logs. Forensic experts are also conducting a collision investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. The woman has been formally identified, but her name has not been released at her family’s request.
Melanie Palmer, the Independent Office for Police Conduct regional director described the incident as “devastating” and expressed condolences for the loss. She added that the investigation aims to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision and the actions of the officers involved. Depending on the findings, the IOPC will decide whether to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for possible criminal charges and whether any officers should face disciplinary action.
