Metropolitan Police Service officer charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving

A Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer has today (Tuesday, 18 May) been charged in connection with a fatal road traffic collision in south east London which resulted in the deaths of Makayah McDermott and Rozanne Cooper in August 2016.

The charges follow a 12-month investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which concluded in August 2017.

Police Constable Edward Welch has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and dangerous driving. PC Welch will make a first appearance at Wesminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, 14 June. A second, now former officer, who was with him has not been charged as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded the legal test for a prosecution was not met for any alleged offences.

PC Welch was the driver of a marked police car that pursued a vehicle driven by Joshua Dobby which crashed into members of the public on Lennard Road, Penge, on 31 August 2016, killing Makayah, who was ten years old, and Ms Cooper, aged 34. Three girls were also taken to hospital for injuries sustained in the collision.

In August 2017 we provided a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. The file related to both PC Welch and the other officer involved for their actions during and following the pursuit.

In June 2019 an inquest determined Makayah and Ms Cooper were unlawfully killed by Joshua Dobby. On Tuesday, 18 May 2021, the CPS authorised the criminal charges.

All parties concerned have been notified.

* Following a trial at the Old Bailey, PC Welch was found not guilty of all charges on 7 December 2022.