Two police officers may be charged over car chase deaths

Two police officers may be charged over car chase deaths A ten-year-old boy and his aunt were killed when they were hit by a stolen car being chased by police in southeast London.

Image: Makayah McDermott, 10, was killed in the crash

The CPS has been asked to consider charges against two police officers after a stolen car they were pursuing crashed and killed two people.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) asked the CPS to look into the incident after conducting an investigation into the crash, which took place on 31 August 2016.

Ten-year-old Makayah McDermott and his aunt Rosie Cooper, 34, were killed when the stolen vehicle hit them in Lennard Road in Penge, southeast London.

Three girls, who were related to the pair, were also injured.

Image: A forensics officer at the scene in Lennard Road in Penge last August

The stolen car was being chased by two police officers in a marked vehicle when it struck the five victims.


IPCC operations manager Catherine Hall said: "Following our investigation I have now decided to make a referral to the CPS as there is an indication that two officers may have committed criminal offences relating to their actions both during and following the pursuit.

"The referral relates to both the driver and the passenger of the police vehicle.

"I am satisfied we have gathered all the available evidence and it is now for the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether to bring criminal charges."

The IPCC said its investigation report has also been sent to the Metropolitan Police to determine whether disciplinary proceedings should be taken against the officers.

The driver of the stolen car, Joshua Dobby, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Makayah McDermott and Rozanne Cooper earlier this year.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in their deaths.

Dobby, a drug addict son of a millionaire, was out on licence when the crash took place and had 53 previous convictions.