A van driver has been sentenced to eight years in prison for causing a fatal accident in London. The driver, Christopher Jackson, struck an iron gate, injuring two people, before hitting and killing Aalia Mahomed, a King’s College London student. The incident occurred on the Strand last year, resulting in the death of the 20-year-old student who was studying physics and philosophy.
In addition to causing the death of Mahomed, Jackson pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The court heard that Jackson, who had never driven an electric vehicle before, mistakenly accelerated instead of braking, leading to the tragic accident.
During the sentencing, Judge Philip Katz acknowledged Jackson’s immediate remorse and the impact of his actions on his family. Jackson, who is a father of three, will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being released on licence. He was also disqualified from driving for five years and ordered to take a compulsory retest.
The Crown Prosecution Service expressed condolences to the victims and highlighted the devastating consequences of dangerous driving. Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith emphasized the importance of safe driving and the profound impact of the incident on the victims and their families.
