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Driver Acquitted in Tragic Death of Five-Year-Old

1/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ashenafei Demissie, a minicab driver, was found not guilty at the Old Bailey of causing the death of five-year-old Fareed Amir.
He claimed his electric Volkswagen ID.4 jumped forward on its own.
The incident occurred on November 25, 2022, when Demissie's car struck Fareed and injured his 12-year-old son.
A prosecution expert suggested Demissie accidentally pressed the accelerator, while a police investigator found no technical fault.

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Story summary

Ashenafei Demissie, a minicab driver, was found not guilty at the Old Bailey of causing the death of five-year-old Fareed Amir.
He claimed his electric Volkswagen ID.4 jumped forward on its own.
The incident occurred on November 25, 2022, when Demissie's car struck Fareed and injured his 12-year-old son.
A prosecution expert suggested Demissie accidentally pressed the accelerator, while a police investigator found no technical fault.