An electric car driver has claimed a vehicle fault caused the death of a five-year-old boy in London, as his trial began at the Old Bailey. Ashenafei Demisse, 52, was sitting in his Volkswagen ID.4 in a car park near London Bridge station in November 2022 when it suddenly accelerated, hitting Fareed Amir and his own son Raphael, 12. Fareed died from multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, while Raphael suffered serious leg fractures.
Prosecutor Michael Williams argued that Demisse inadvertently pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to reach near maximum speed. A police investigation found no evidence of a fault with the electric vehicle. However, defence barrister Stephen Knight insisted that Demisse did not press the accelerator and that the car moved on its own accord.
The court heard that Fareed was walking home from school with his mother Maryam Lemuli when she stopped to chat with Raphael's mother, Yodit Samuel. Demisse allegedly offered Fareed a treat from the car, but his mother declined due to sugar intake. Moments later, the vehicle lurched forward, hitting the children and crashing into five other cars.
Fareed's mother carried him to Guy's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In a statement, she recalled her son calling out to Demisse before the crash, then the car suddenly moving forward without noise. Demisse's wife described the incident as a tragedy, saying she did not hear any engine sounds or revving.
Demisse denies charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous or careless driving. The trial continues.
