Driver Acquitted After Fatal Electric Car Incident in London
An electric vehicle driver broke down in tears at the Old Bailey after being found not guilty of causing the death of a five-year-old boy. Ashenafei Demissie, 53, was behind the wheel of a leased Volkswagen ID.4 when it suddenly accelerated forward in a south London car park on 25 November 2022. The incident resulted in the death of Fareed Amir and left Demissie's own 12-year-old son with serious leg fractures.
A Week-Long Trial and Conflicting Explanations
During the week-long trial, prosecutors argued that Demissie, a self-employed driver for Addison Lee with eight years' experience, had inadvertently pressed the accelerator pedal. A Metropolitan Police collision investigator, Mark Still, supported this view, stating he found no mechanical defects and that the car required driver input to move.
However, Demissie maintained his innocence, telling the court the car had moved forward by itself, possibly due to a software malfunction. He described the moment as "a moment of madness," insisting he had tried to brake but it was "too late." He also suggested the young victim might have triggered a sensor on the vehicle.
Jury Deliberation and Emotional Aftermath
After five hours of deliberation, the jury cleared Demissie of causing death and serious injury by careless driving. The defence had also argued the private car park in Borough, London, was not a public road for the purposes of the charge. Upon hearing the verdict, a tearful Demissie dropped to his knees in prayer before leaving court.
The court heard poignant testimony about the close relationship between Demissie and the victim's family. Demissie wept as he recalled how Fareed would call him "Uncle Ash" and had been excitedly showing him new clothes just before the tragedy.
Wider Concerns Raised Over Electric Vehicle Safety
An intriguing aspect of the case, not disclosed to the jury, was that following publicity, a dozen other EV drivers contacted the defence lawyers with concerns about their own vehicles. Some reportedly drove the same Volkswagen ID.4 model involved in the fatal incident.
While the police expert concluded it was a case of "pedal misapplication," he conceded under cross-examination that he was not a computer or software engineering specialist. This admission leaves open questions about the thoroughness of electronic system diagnostics in modern vehicle collisions.
Judge Alexia Durran thanked Fareed's family for their dignity throughout the proceedings. A spokesman for Volkswagen was contacted for comment following the trial's conclusion.
