The driver of a 4x4 that crashed into a London primary school, killing two eight-year-old girls, is set to appear in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Charges Filed
Claire Freemantle, 49, faces two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The incident occurred at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon in July 2023, as the school celebrated the last day of the summer term.
Victims and Court Appearance
Schoolgirls Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau lost their lives in the crash. Freemantle is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Her lawyers have previously indicated she would plead not guilty to the charges.
Background of the Case
The charges were brought in May after the girls' families criticized the Metropolitan Police for its investigation. In June 2024, the force stated the driver had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no criminal charges. Freemantle, of Edge Hill, Wimbledon, was rearrested and released under investigation in January 2024.
Police Apology and Investigation
The Met apologized for its initial handling of the incident and the impact on those affected, pledging to fundamentally reset how it investigates fatal and serious collisions. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating officers for alleged racism in the case, including complaints that officers provided false and misleading information to the families. Four serving officers, including a commander and a detective chief inspector, are being investigated for gross misconduct.
