A man has been charged over the death of a woman in her 70s who was struck by a van in Wembley, and he is due before magistrates today.
Arjan Osmani, 45, of Arnold Close in Harrow, was charged on Wednesday with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured and causing death while unlicensed.
He will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 12 November.
Key facts
- Who: Arjan Osmani, 45, of Arnold Close, Harrow
- Charges: Causing death by dangerous driving; causing death while uninsured; causing death while unlicensed
- Charged: Wednesday, 11 November
- Court: Willesden Magistrates’ Court, Thursday, 12 November
- The collision: A van and a pedestrian on The Avenue, Wembley, at around 5.45pm on Tuesday, 10 November
- The victim: A woman in her 70s, who died following the collision
- Police appeal: Call 101 quoting 5569/10NOV
Arjan Osmani: the charges in full
The Metropolitan Police said Osmani was charged on Wednesday, 11 November, a day after the collision in north-west London.
The lead charge is causing death by dangerous driving, one of the most serious driving offences, which is normally dealt with at the Crown Court. He also faces two further charges connected to the same incident: causing death while uninsured and causing death while unlicensed.
No plea has been entered at this stage. A first appearance before magistrates is normally used to confirm the defendant’s identity, put the charges to him and decide where the case should be heard. Cases of this seriousness are usually sent on to the Crown Court, where a date would be set for a plea hearing.
The woman who died has not been named by police. She was in her 70s.
Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. They have asked for privacy at this difficult time.
What happened on The Avenue
Police were called at around 5.45pm on Tuesday, 10 November, to reports of a collision between a van and a pedestrian on The Avenue in Wembley.
Osmani was arrested at the scene. The woman was pronounced dead after the collision, and detectives opened an investigation into the circumstances.
The following morning, police issued a public appeal for witnesses, asking anyone who had been in the area at the time to come forward, particularly anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the collision.
Detective Inspector Simon Ager, who is leading the Met’s investigation, said officers were trying to build up a full picture of what happened. “We want to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any relevant information, particularly anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage,” he said.
Police still want dashcam and doorbell footage
Even with a man now charged, officers are continuing to ask for help from the public. Anyone who was on The Avenue on Tuesday evening, or who lives nearby and has doorbell or CCTV footage from around the time of the collision, is asked to contact police.
Information can be given by calling 101 and quoting reference 5569/10NOV.
Police have issued similar appeals for dashcam footage after other serious collisions in the capital, including one in Tottenham in which a woman was taken to a major trauma centre.
What happens next
Osmani’s appearance at Willesden Magistrates’ Court today is the first step in the court process. Further hearings will follow, and the case is expected to move to the Crown Court given the seriousness of the main charge.
Police are still asking anyone with information about the collision to come forward.
