Met officer charged with death by dangerous driving almost five years after death of ten-year-old

A Met officer has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving almost five years after a ten-year-old boy and his aunt were struck by a stolen car that was being pursued by police.

The Crown Prosecution Service charged PC Edward Welch with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and dangerous driving.

Makayah McDermott, aged ten, and Rozanne Cooper, 34, died after a fatal collision in Penge in August, 2016.

PC Welch will make a first appearance before magistrates on a date yet to be fixed.

A second, now former officer, who was with him has not been charged.

Both officers were based on the South Area Command at the time of the incident.

As is routine in these circumstances, the incident was referred to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, who in turn referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who independently investigated. A file was referred by the IOPC to the CPS, who took the decision to charge the officer.