Driver's Claim of Self‑Moving EV Dismissed by Crash Expert

On 7 January 2026, a trial began at the Old Bailey in London for 53‑year‑old Ashenafei Demissie, who is charged with causing the death of five‑year‑old Fareed Amir and seriously injuring his 12‑year‑old son. The incident occurred in November 2022 when Demissie’s parked Volkswagen ID.4 in Borough, south London, reportedly moved forward and struck the two boys before colliding with five stationary cars. Demissie claimed the vehicle accelerated of its own accord after a sensor was triggered by Fareed. However, Metropolitan Police traffic collision investigator Mark Still examined the car in December 2022 and found no mechanical fault, concluding the crash was a case of pedal misapplication. The trial continues.