Boy, 5, killed by electric car that accelerated on its own accord' at London Bridge, court hears

"A five-year-old boy was killed after being struck by an electric vehicle that allegedly accelerated on its own accord, a court heard. Motorist Ashenafei Demissie claims he was sitting in his parked Volkswagen ID.4 when it suddenly sped into Fareed Amir and his own son Raphael, 12, in November 2022. The defendant was with his son in the VW while Fareed had been walking home from primary school with his mother, Maryam Lemulu,"

"From inside the car, Demissie offered Fareed a treat, which his mother said he could not have because she was trying to reduce his sugar intake. Jurors were told the VW then suddenly shot forward, hit the two boys and crashed into five other cars in Newcomen Street, Southwark before coming to a stop. Fareed's mother carried him to nearby Guy's Hospital, where he was later declared dead from traumatic injuries including a fractured skull."

"Stephen Knight, defending, told the Old Bailey on Monday: Mr Demissie did not press the car's accelerator. This all-electric car moved on its own accord. But prosecutor Michael Williams said a police investigation found no evidence of a fault in the 21-plate vehicle and concluded it could only have moved forward with driver input. Mr Williams told the court Demissie inadvertently pressed the accelerator, causing it to crash into the two boys, according to the newspaper."

A five-year-old boy, Fareed Amir, died after being struck by a Volkswagen ID.4 that moved from a parked position on Newcomen Street, Southwark, in November 2022. Motorist Ashenafei Demissie says he was sitting in the parked vehicle when it suddenly accelerated into Fareed and his brother, Raphael, aged 12. Fareed’s mother, Maryam Lemulu, and Demissie’s wife, Yodit Samuel, were nearby. The vehicle hit the two boys and crashed into five other cars. Fareed died at Guy’s Hospital from traumatic injuries including a fractured skull. Raphael spent four weeks in hospital with leg fractures. A police investigation found no fault with the 21-plate vehicle and concluded the car could only have moved with driver input. Prosecutors allege pedal misapplication; the driver maintains he did not press the accelerator.

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