Driver who crashed into prep school and killed two girls is set to today learn if she faces criminal charges - years after tragedy

By REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR Published: 01:50, 1 May 2026 | Updated: 02:04, 1 May 2026 The driver who crashed into a prep school killing two girls will learn today whether she faces criminal charges nearly three years on from the tragedy. Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, were killed when a Land Rover Defender veered off the road smashing through a fence into the Study Prep School in Wimbledon as children and staff were at an end-of-year tea party in July 2023. Nine children and three adults were also seriously injured. The driver Claire Freemantle was arrested in the aftermath of the crash on July 6, 2023, but prosecutors decided not to bring any criminal charges in June 2024 after Ms Freemantle claimed she had suffered an epileptic seizure at the wheel for the first time. Concerns were later raised about the investigation which led to a serious case review uncovering significant flaws by officers, including their consideration of the medical evidence which led to the case being dropped. The Met announced in October 2024 that it was reopening its investigation into the crash following the internal review that identified a number of missed lines of inquiry. Last year Ms Freemantle was re-arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was quizzed in custody about the circumstances of the crash. Now the Crown Prosecution Service is expected to announce today whether she should now face charges. Claire Freemantle was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was quizzed in custody about the circumstances of the crash Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, were killed when a Land Rover Defender crashed into the Study Prep School The Land Rover Defender inside the grounds of The Study Preparatory School in Camp Road, Wimbledon, south London In a previous statement in 2024, the driver expressed her 'deepest sorrow' but said she had 'no recollection of what took place'. She said: 'Since I became aware of the terrible event that took place on 6 July, the devastating consequences for all those affected have not left my thoughts and will be with me for the rest of my life. 'I have since been diagnosed as having suffered an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness. This was not a pre-existing condition. As a result of losing consciousness, I have no recollection of what took place.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating four serving officers and one former detective constable for possible gross misconduct over the earlier botched investigation. One of the key issues in the original investigation was the diagnosis of epilepsy, which is notoriously difficult to detect without brain scans shortly after a seizure and a detailed consideration of a patient's medical history. The review of the original investigation highlighted missed opportunities by the Road Traffic Collisions Unit who failed to interview key witnesses at the scene, including the head teacher of the school who comforted Nuria as she lay injured. The bereaved families and other survivors have previously said: 'We have always sought the truth, and will continue to champion the pursuit of complete clarity on the events of that devastating day and subsequent actions taken by the Metropolitan Police. 'The truth must come to light.' The watchdog is examining 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'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.