CPS Decides No Charges for Driver in Wimbledon
School Crash that Killed Two Girls

Los Angeles/Jun 27, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

A woman involved in a tragic car accident that killed two eight-year-old girls at a school in south-west London will not face criminal charges, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau lost their lives when a Land Rover crashed into an end-of-term tea party at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon on July 6, 2023.

The CPS informed the families that the driver, Claire Freemantle, will not be charged because she suffered an epileptic seizure at the time of the incident. Freemantle expressed her "deepest sorrow" and stated she had "no recollection" of the events. The families of the victims believe "justice has neither been done nor seen to be done."

The families voiced concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation and the impact on the community. They emphasized that hundreds of people, including parents, teachers, children, and neighbors, have been deeply affected and that many will never be able to lead "normal" lives again. They described the day as one of joy turned into tragedy and expressed that some might never experience joy again.

The CPS concluded that Freemantle experienced an epileptic seizure, which led to the loss of control of the vehicle. There was no evidence of a previous seizure or diagnosed medical condition. The families of the victims, including Sajjad Butt, Smera Chohan, Franky Lau, and Jessie Deng, questioned the CPS's decision and demanded more evidence to support the claim that no criminal act was involved.

Freemantle extended her "heartfelt sympathy" to all affected families, particularly to the parents of Nuria and Selena. Her solicitor, Mark Jones, stated that Freemantle had no prior history of epilepsy and had always been in good health. Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Narwal assured that the CPS had thoroughly reviewed all materials and consulted neurological specialists, who confirmed it was Freemantle's first seizure.

Narwal emphasized that without evidence suggesting the driver could have predicted or prevented the incident, pursuing criminal charges was not in the public interest. She expressed sympathy for the families and the school community affected by the tragedy.

Det Ch Supt Clair Kelland acknowledged the community's confusion and reassured that the police conducted a detailed investigation. She explained that criminal charges require an "element of responsibility" that was not evident in this case.
Sharon Maher and Helen Lowe, head and interim head at The Study, described Nuria and Selena as "talented and beautiful" and acknowledged the deep impact on the school community. The Met Police announced that an inquest into the deaths would take place, providing an opportunity for further questions and clarity on the decision.

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