A driver in Borough, South London, was acquitted after his electric car allegedly accelerated on its own, killing a five-year-old boy and injuring his son.
Driver Cleared in Fatal Accident Involving Five-Year-Old
A driver has been cleared of causing the death of a five-year-old boy. Ashenafei Demissie, 53, was driving a Volkswagen ID.4 when it suddenly accelerated, killing Fareed Amir and injuring his own 12-year-old son.
The incident occurred on November 25, when Demissie picked up his younger son from school. He had stopped in the car park of his home in Borough, South London, for about ten minutes while waiting for a parking space. Suddenly, the car accelerated into the two boys who were playing nearby.
Demissie had offered Fareed a lollipop before the vehicle moved forward. The car collided with the boys and crashed into five parked cars before stopping. Fareed died from his injuries, and Demissie’s son suffered several fractures in the crash, which was witnessed by the boys’ mothers.
Details from the Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Driver | Ashenafei Demissie, 53 |
| Victim | Fareed Amir, 5 |
| Date of Incident | November 25 |
| Location | Borough, South London |
| Injuries | Fareed died; Demissie’s son suffered fractures |
| Witnesses | Boys’ mothers |
After the accident, Demissie told police, “Suddenly the car jumped. I believe the car jumped because Fareed triggered the sensor.” He stated he had never experienced mechanical problems with the car before and described the event as a “moment of madness.”
During the trial at the Old Bailey, a police collision expert found no mechanical fault with the car, which was a year old. The expert concluded that Demissie had unintentionally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. However, Demissie maintained that the car moved forward by itself, possibly due to a software malfunction.
The jury deliberated for five hours before finding Demissie not guilty of causing death and serious injury by careless driving. Judge Alexia Durran KC thanked Fareed’s family for their dignity during the trial. Demissie prayed and cried after the verdict.
Following the trial, several electric vehicle drivers contacted lawyers about concerns with their cars, including some with the same model as Demissie’s. The trial judge did not allow evidence from other drivers who claimed to have experienced similar issues.
Volkswagen now faces a legal claim in the U.S. over alleged acceleration faults with its first all-electric SUV. American lawyers are seeking details of Demissie’s case. Volkswagen, which was not involved in the Old Bailey case, has requested that the U.S. civil case be dismissed without a trial.
