Driver charged over Wimbledon school crash that killed two girls
A lawsuit has been filed against the Land Rover driver who crashed into a school in south London and killed two girls.
Claire Freemantle, 49, was charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving following the deaths of two eight-year-old girls when they were struck by a 4×4 vehicle at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south London, in July 2023.
Female students Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, who were celebrating the last day of the summer term at school, lost their lives in the incident.
Freemantle’s lawyers said he would not admit the charges when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 16.
The charges come after the girls’ families criticized the Metropolitan Police for its investigation into the crash; Police said in June 2024 that the driver suffered an epileptic seizure and would not face any criminal charges.
Freemantle was arrested again in January last year and released under investigation.
In a statement released after he was charged, his lawyers said there were “serious questions that need to be answered” about why the decision not to charge him was reversed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating the officers for allegations of racism in their handling of the case.
The Observatory had previously said it was investigating allegations that officers had provided families with “inaccurate and misleading information” following complaints about the standard of investigation.
Confirming the watchdog’s investigation, IOPC director Amanda Rowe said in April: “The complaints relate to concerns about the standard of the investigation, including its management and direction, the conduct of the investigation team and their relationship with victims.
“We are also investigating allegations that Met officers provided false and misleading information to affected people and whether officers’ treatment of affected people was influenced by their race.
“We have sent notices to four active-duty officers, whose ranks now include commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and constable and a former detective inspector, informing them that their conduct is being investigated to the level of gross misconduct.
“Two detective officers are being investigated for misconduct.
“Our investigation is ongoing and officers will be notified if any further behavioral issues are identified.
“All officers who receive notice will be interrogated in due course.
“Making the notification does not necessarily mean that the transactions will continue.”
