Child, 5, dies & another, 12, hurt as electric car accelerates unexpectedly

Five-Year-Old Killed in Electric Car Incident

A five-year-old boy was tragically killed and another child injured after an electric car allegedly accelerated unexpectedly, a court heard.

Incident Details

Ashenafei Demisse, 52, was sitting in his Volkswagen ID.4 when the incident occurred in November 2022. He was in a car park outside his flat near London Bridge station in south London.

Fareed, five, was returning home from school with his mother, Maryam Lemulu. They stopped to talk with Demisse’s wife, Yodit Samuel, and their son, Raphael, 12, who are close family friends.

Demisse offered Fareed some sweets while still in his car when it suddenly accelerated and struck Fareed and Raphael. The vehicle also collided with five other cars before stopping, according to a jury at the Old Bailey.

Aftermath of the Incident

Fareed’s mother rushed him to nearby Guy’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after. He died from multiple traumatic injuries, including a fractured skull, the court heard.

Raphael spent a month in the hospital with both legs broken.

Trial Proceedings

Demisse is currently on trial, having denied causing death and serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. Prosecutor Michael Williams stated there was no evidence of a fault in the Volkswagen.

A police investigation found that the vehicle could only have accelerated due to driver input. Williams told the court that Demisse “inadvertently pressed the accelerator, causing it to crash into the two boys.” He added that the car was at “near maximum speed” and that the driver mistakenly believed he was pressing the brake pedal.

Defense Statements

Defense attorney Stephen Knight told the jury that “Mr. Demisse did not press the car’s accelerator.” He claimed, “This all-electric car moved of its own accord.”

Maryam Lemulu stated in a court reading that “the car suddenly moved forward. It did not make any noise. It took off very fast.” She recalled Yodit shouting, “the kids,” as the car hit Fareed.

Witness Accounts

Demisse’s wife, Yodit Samuel, said he had been a taxi driver for many years and was working seven days a week at the time. She described seeing the car move forward quickly and noted, “I don’t recall any engine sounds or revving.”

Ms. Samuel expressed her condolences to Ms. Lemulu, whom she considered “a sister.”

The trial is ongoing.

Summary of Key Facts