An electric vehicle driver wept in the dock at the Old Bailey as he was found not guilty of causing the death of a five-year-old boy in a tragic car park collision. Ashenafei Demissie, 53, was cleared of causing death and serious injury by careless driving after a week-long trial.
The Fatal Incident in Borough
The crash occurred on the afternoon of 25 November 2022 in a private car park outside Demissie's flat in Borough, south London. The self-employed Addison Lee minicab driver had picked up his younger son from school and was waiting for a parking space in his leased Volkswagen ID.4.
Five-year-old Fareed Amir and Demissie's own 12-year-old son were playing nearby. The court heard that Demissie had offered Fareed a lollipop moments before the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The electric car struck both children and crashed into five parked vehicles.
Tragically, Fareed died from his injuries. Demissie's son suffered multiple fractures to his lower limbs. The boys' mothers witnessed the horrific incident.
Conflicting Explanations at Trial
The prosecution's crash expert, Metropolitan Police investigator Mark Still, told jurors this was a case of 'pedal misapplication'. He stated he found no evidence of a mechanical fault and was "unable to make the vehicle move without any additional input".
However, Demissie consistently maintained his innocence. He testified that the car had moved forward by itself, possibly due to a software malfunction. "Never. I didn't touch it," he told the court when asked if he pressed the accelerator.
In a police interview, Demissie suggested Fareed might have triggered a sensor, causing the car to "jump". He described trying to brake but said it was "too late", calling it "just like a moment of madness".
Verdict and Aftermath
After five hours of deliberation, the jury found Demissie not guilty on all charges. Upon leaving the dock, the tearful defendant dropped to his knees and prayed before exiting the court.
The trial revealed that following publicity around the case, a dozen other EV drivers contacted lawyers to report concerns about their vehicles, including some who owned the same Volkswagen ID.4 model.
Judge Alexia Durran thanked Fareed's family for the dignity they showed throughout the proceedings. Demissie, who had driven for Addison Lee for eight years, broke down as he told the court he saw Fareed and his mother daily and they were "like family".
The defence had also argued that the private car park, reserved for block residents, was not a "road" for the purposes of the driving offence. Volkswagen was contacted for comment following the verdict.
