A Metropolitan Police collision investigator has told the Old Bailey that a driver's claim his electric car moved and accelerated by itself, leading to the death of a five-year-old boy, is not supported by evidence.
Investigator Points to Driver Error in Tragic Incident
The court heard that Ashenafei Demissie, 53, was parked outside his flat in Borough, South London, in November 2022, when his Volkswagen ID.4 moved forward. The vehicle struck five-year-old Fareed Amir and Demissie's own 12-year-old son, who had been playing outside, before crashing into five parked cars. Fareed was killed.
Demissie, a cab driver, is on trial charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury. His defence asserted he did not press the accelerator and that the car "moved of its own accord" due to a fault.
No Evidence of Mechanical Failure Found
On Wednesday, traffic collision investigator Mark Still outlined his conclusions from an examination of the vehicle in December 2022. He told jurors he found no defects with the steering, brakes, or acceleration systems.
"I was unable to find any defect that contributed to the collision and I was unable to make the car accelerate without the driver driving," Mr Still said. "You had to make an action to make the vehicle move."
When asked by prosecutor Michael Williams if he found anything that could cause the car to move forward without physical input, Mr Still replied: "No."
'Phenomenon' of Pedal Misapplication Cited
The officer described a known "phenomenon" in previous collisions where drivers mistakenly press the accelerator believing it is the brake. "Because the driver thinks they have their foot on the brake, they will likely press harder to make it stop… It spirals out of control," he explained.
Mr Still concluded this was a "case of pedal misapplication" and that the alleged fault could not be replicated. Under cross-examination from defence barrister Stephen Knight, he agreed he was not a software expert but stated he had considered all potential mechanical and electrical failures.
In a police interview read to the court, Demissie said the incident was "just like a moment of madness." He claimed the car "jumped" and suggested the young victim might have triggered a sensor. "I tried to brake. It was like too late," he said.
Ashenafei Demissie denies the charges against him. The trial at the Old Bailey continues.
