Misconduct inquiry over fatal schoolgirl crash
Metropolitan Police Under Scrutiny
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently examining the actions of eleven Metropolitan Police officers regarding their handling of the initial inquiry into a fatal crash in Wimbledon. The BBC was informed that four current officers and one former detective constable are under investigation for potential gross misconduct. The incident, which occurred three years ago, resulted in the deaths of two eight-year-old schoolgirls, Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, after a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle collided with an end-of-term tea party on the school’s lawn in July 2023.
Crash Details and Initial Response
Freemantle was not charged with any offense at the time, as the Crown Prosecution Service cited an undiagnosed epileptic seizure as the cause of the accident. However, the families of the victims have consistently argued that the investigation was flawed. In a statement, they expressed hope that the IOPC’s inquiry would provide clarity on the events of the tragic day and the subsequent actions taken by the Metropolitan Police.
IOPC’s Investigation Scope
The watchdog’s inquiry will assess “allegations that Met officers provided false or misleading information to those affected” and whether the treatment of victims was influenced by racial factors. It will also evaluate the investigation’s management, direction, team conduct, and engagement with the families. The IOPC launched its probe in August 2025, emphasizing the need for independent scrutiny of the police’s handling of the case.
Officers Involved
Among the officers under review are a commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant, and detective constable, with two additional detective constables also facing misconduct allegations. Cdr Charmain Brenyah, head of the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, stated that the police remain committed to supporting the IOPC’s investigation, acknowledging the emotional toll on the families and the necessity of independent evaluation.
Reopened Investigation
The Metropolitan Police announced in October 2024 that it had decided to restart its inquiry into the crash, following an internal review that uncovered new lines of investigation. Freemantle was re-arrested in January 2025 on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was interviewed again in July 2025. During a previous statement in 2024, she conveyed her “deepest sorrow” but admitted having “no recollection of what took place.”
Families’ Continued Concerns
Nurturing a hope for resolution, Nuria’s parents shared their experience from their Wimbledon home, surrounded by photos of their daughter. They expressed frustration over the Met’s “failure” to deliver a thorough investigation, questioning why the incident had not warranted a more rigorous examination. Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, conveyed her emotional and angry reaction, seeking understanding of the unfair treatment she and her family endured. “I want the keepers of law to come and tell me,” she said, emphasizing her desire for justice.
“I am not asking for any favoritism, any leeway or any sympathy. I’m just saying ‘do it right.’ It’s been left hanging for three years and that isn’t right,”
Chohan added, highlighting her determination to uncover the truth. Her husband, Sajjad Butt, echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are deeply concerned—the CPS has left us in the dark. As the organization supposed to move toward justice for victims, it seems rather unwilling to engage with us.” He feared the system might repeat past injustices, noting the vulnerability of families in the absence of adequate support.