A Southampton man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal collision in March on the Strand that led to the death of Aalia Mahomed, a student at King’s College London.
Christopher Jackson, 27, of Walton Road, Southampton, was charged on 1 December with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Aalia Mahomed, a 20-year-old student of Physics and Philosophy, was struck by a van on the Strand campus of King’s College London at 11.41 am on Tuesday, 18 March. Despite the efforts of paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and many others, she died at the scene.
Two other students, aged 27 and 23, were seriously injured and were taken to hospital; they have since been discharged.
Aalia was described by her family in March as “a bright, kind and beautiful soul, who brought joy and laughter to everyone”. On 25 March many King’s students and staff, as well as Aalia’s friends and family, came together to observe a vigil on the Strand campus in her honour.
Those at the vigil shared their personal stories of Aalia. Her brother, Zain, spoke saying: “She will never get to be the cool aunt or that cat lady she joked about being. She was a hero, my hero”. Her family also launched a campaign entitled ‘Be More Aalia‘, to fundraise for charitable causes in her name.
The charging comes some eight months after the fatal crash. In May Aalia’s family expressed concerns over the lack of communication in the investigation, saying that the silence “felt like a lifetime”.
The incident spurred on a KCLSU campaign to fully pedestrianise the Strand where it meets Aldwych. Throughout the summer, the campaign has continued to press for stronger safety around the campus area.
Earlier this year, Roar spoke to the pedestrianisation campaign’s lead, Luca Kelly:
“This campaign has always been about practical action and shared responsibility. The tragic incident of 18th March continues to motivate this needed work to improve safety … The campaign remains committed to delivering a pedestrian friendly environment on the Strand through whatever means necessary and at our disposal.”
Jackson was initially arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and drug driving offences, and was later released on conditional bail.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 January.
This article was amended on 15 December 2025 to clarify information on the charges.
About the authors
