Claire Freemantle, 46, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a car crashed into The Study Prep school in Wimbledon in July 2023, killing two eight-year-old girls. The incident occurred on the last day of the summer term, claiming the lives of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau.
Freemantle faces two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Her lawyers have indicated she will plead not guilty when she appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 June.
The charges follow a reversal of an earlier decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to prosecute. In June 2024, police said Freemantle had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no charges. The families of the victims challenged that decision, leading to a review and the subsequent charges.
The Metropolitan Police has apologised for its initial handling of the case and announced a fundamental review of how it investigates fatal and serious collisions. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating allegations of racism and false information provided to the families, with four officers under investigation for gross misconduct.
Freemantle's lawyers stated she is 'utterly devastated' and has no recollection of the crash, arguing the initial CPS decision was correct and questioning the reversal. The families said they were 'right to challenge' the initial decision and are now 'one step closer to understanding why Nuria and Selena were killed'.
