Full Breakdown
Trial of Ashenafei Demissie: Electric Vehicle Incident Claims Child's Life
1/7/2026, 11:52:51 PM
Incident Overview
In November 2022, a tragic incident occurred in Borough, south London, when Ashenafei Demissie, 53, was parked in his Volkswagen ID.4 and the vehicle unexpectedly moved forward, striking five-year-old Fareed Amir and seriously injuring Demissie's own son, Raphael, 12. The collision resulted in the death of Fareed and damage to five other parked vehicles. Demissie is currently on trial at the Old Bailey, facing charges of causing death and serious injury by careless driving, which he denies, claiming the vehicle accelerated on its own.
Examination of the Vehicle
During the trial, traffic collision expert Mark Still testified that an examination of the Volkswagen ID.4 revealed no faults in its steering, braking, or electrical systems. He stated, “I found no faults with the operations of the vehicle... I was unable to make the vehicle move without any intentional driving moves.” Still concluded that the incident was likely due to "pedal misapplication," where the driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. He emphasized that input from the driver was necessary for the vehicle to move.
Demissie's Account
Demissie described the event as a "moment of madness," asserting that he had never experienced mechanical issues with the car before. He claimed that the vehicle "jumped" forward, suggesting that Fareed may have triggered a sensor. In his police interview, he expressed confusion about the incident, stating, “I don’t know what happened exactly. I tried to brake. It was like too late.”
Witness Testimonies
Witnesses, including Fareed's mother, Maryam Lemulu, recounted the moments leading up to the accident. Lemulu noted that her son had called out to Demissie just before the car moved forward. She described the vehicle's sudden acceleration as silent and alarming, stating, "The car suddenly moved forward. It did not make any noise."
Official Statements & Responses
Prosecutor Michael Williams highlighted the findings of the investigation, asserting that no mechanical faults were found in the vehicle and that the evidence pointed to driver error. He stated, “The fault alleged could not be replicated,” reinforcing the notion that Demissie's actions were the cause of the collision.
Criticism & Opposition
The defense has argued that the incident was an anomaly related to the vehicle's technology, suggesting that electric vehicles may have unique operational characteristics that could lead to unexpected behavior. However, experts have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that driver input is essential for vehicle movement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Demissie maintains that the vehicle acted independently, expert testimony consistently refutes this claim, indicating that no faults were identified. The trial continues as both sides present their arguments regarding the circumstances of the incident.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Listing his findings, he told jurors: “ I found no faults with the operations of the vehicle, including the steering, acceleration and braking.” — Mark Still, Traffic Collision Expert
- “Just like a moment of madness. I don’t know what happened exactly. I tried to brake. It was like too late. It was just like a moment, second, whoosh and jump.” — Ashenafei Demissie, Defendant
The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
