The driver involved in a car accident that struck a school tea party, resulting in the deaths of two eight-year-old girls, has been rearrested on allegations of causing death through dangerous driving.
Claire Freemantle, 48, previously conveyed her “deepest regret” and stated that she had “no memory of the incident” that led to the tragic loss of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2023.
The Metropolitan Police have announced a review of their investigation in light of the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) decision last June not to press charges against the driver.
The parents of the girls expressed their support for the reopening of the case, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation “in the pursuit of truth and the complete facts.”
The Met Police indicated that they acted due to “concerns raised by the families of Nuria and Selena” regarding the CPS’s initial decision not to charge the driver.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford remarked, “This remains a live investigation, and to preserve its integrity, I cannot provide additional information at this moment.”
Ms. Freemantle was initially arrested at the crash site at The Study Preparatory School.
Following the investigation, the CPS concluded that Ms. Freemantle had experienced an epileptic seizure while driving, resulting in the loss of control of her vehicle, which then collided with the school. Consequently, they determined that she would not face charges.
At the time, her attorney noted that her epilepsy had “never previously manifested” and that Ms. Freemantle had consistently enjoyed good health.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the parents of the victims said, “We are pleased that the Metropolitan Police has reopened its investigation as of October 2024 into the deaths of our beloved girls and the suffering caused to those hurt and who witnessed the tragedy on that sunny day in July.”
They added, “It is vital that this investigation proceeds without obstruction, with each step being taken in the pursuit of truth and full facts. As the inquiry unfolds, it would be premature to comment further at this time.”
On Tuesday, the headteacher of the school, Sharon Maher, along with interim head Helen Lowe at the time of the incident, stated they had “always sought a comprehensive and rigorous investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the dreadful events.”
They expressed, “We fully support the new investigation by the Met Police and would like to reiterate the appeal for any witnesses or individuals with information who have not yet spoken to the police to please come forward. Our thoughts remain with the families of Selena and Nuria, as well as the Study community impacted by the tragic events of that day.”
In April of the previous year, Nuria Sajjad’s parents reported that the Met commissioner indicated their case was delayed due to a shortage of forensic officers.
Nuria was taking a photo with her mother, Smera Chohan, at the time of her death.
Trevor Sterling, a solicitor representing 20 families affected by the crash, noted, “This is an incredibly tragic case that has significantly affected all involved and continues to do so.”
Encouraging witnesses to come forward, the Met stated that a specialized crime review group had “identified lines of inquiry that needed further investigation.”
Det Supt Basford emphasized, “Our principal focus is advancing the lines of inquiry revealed by the review. I urge individuals to refrain from speculation.”
