Driver who crashed into Wimbledon school, killing two 8-year-old girls, suffered a seizure at the wheel

The driver of a car that crashed into a school killing two eight-year-old girls in south-west London will not face criminal charges after it was discovered he lost control when he suffered an epileptic fit at the wheel. Nuria Sajjad and fellow eight-year-old Selena Lau died in the crash at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon on July 6 last year.

Several others were also injured when the 4×4 crashed through a fence and into a building. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says the driver voluntarily surrendered her license and, following her diagnosis, will need to be free of any seizures for a year before she can apply to the DVLA for one again.

Trevor Sterling, the families’ lawyer, said: “It’s disappointing; justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. In the absence of a trial, how do we interrogate the evidence?

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“What message does this send to the public that fatalities can occur in a road traffic situation and there could be no penalty because there is no evidentiary hearing process? The next focus will be on the investigation and there will be a deep analysis. and thorough review of the evidence, which will be reviewed by a jury if necessary.”

“There is nothing to suggest the driver could have done anything”

Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Narwal, who oversees the CPS London Homicide Unit, said: “The death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy for any parent. On behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, I extend my sincere and sincere condolences to both bereaved families. who suffered the devastating loss of their children, Nuria and Selena.

“We have carefully reviewed this complex and sensitive case, taking into account all the material gathered during the lengthy and detailed police investigation. The driver of the vehicle had an epileptic seizure while driving which caused her to lose control of the vehicle which then plowed into the school.

“There is no evidence that the driver had ever suffered a similar seizure before and had no previously diagnosed medical condition. As there is nothing to suggest that the driver could have done anything to predict or prevent this tragedy, it is not in the public interest to prosecute.

“In making this decision we considered the driver’s full medical records obtained by the police and received evidence from neurologists who agreed that the driver had a seizure and that this was the first such medical episode she had ever experienced. lived it.

“Throughout this process we have met with the bereaved families several times to ensure they are kept informed of the progress of the case and to fully explain the decision we have made. Our thoughts remain with them today, as well as the other injured victims and the wider school community on whom this tragic incident has had a profound impact.”

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