A driver of aLand Roverwho crashed into a school in South Londonand killed two girlshas been charged.
Claire Freemantle, 49, has been charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving after two eight-year-old girls were killed when a 4×4 crashed into at The Study Prep school inWimbledon, south London, in July 2023.
SchoolgirlsNuria Sajjad and Selena Lau diedin the incident as the school was celebrating the last day of the summer term.
Freemantle’s lawyers have said she will plead not guilty to the charges when she appears at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 June.
The charges come after the girls’ families criticised the Metropolitan Police for its investigation into the crash, with the force saying in June 2024 that the driver had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no criminal charges.
Freemantle was rearrested and released under investigation in January last year.
Her lawyers said there are “serious questions to be answered” over why the decision not to charge her was reversed in a statement issued after she was charged.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating officers for alleged racism in their handling of the case.
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The watchdog previously said it was probing allegations that officers provided “false and misleading information” to the families following complaints about the standard of the 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 engagement with the victims.
“We are also investigating allegations that Met officers provided false and misleading information to those affected and whether the officers’ treatment of those affected was influenced by their race.
“We have now served notices advising four serving officers, whose ranks are commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable, and a former detective inspector, that their conduct is being investigated at the level of gross misconduct.
“Two detective constables are being investigated at misconduct level.
“Our investigation is ongoing and should any further conduct issues be identified then officers will be served notices.
“All officers served notices will be interviewed in due course.
“The serving of notices does not mean that proceedings will necessarily follow.”
