Aalia Mahomed, 20, died and three others were injured in the crash outside the King’s College London (KCL) campus
Ellie Ng, Press Association
09:48, 13 Dec 2025Updated 09:49, 13 Dec 2025
Aalia Mahomed’s family described her as a ‘bright, kind and beautiful soul’ (Image: PA/Family handout)
A man has been charged over a fatal collision after a university student was hit and killed by a van near her campus.
Aalia Mahomed, 20, died and two others – a man and a woman in their 20s – were seriously injured in the crash outside the King’s College London (KCL) campus in the Strand, central London, on March 18.
Christopher Jackson, 27, of Southampton, is accused of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, the Metropolitan Police said. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 5.
Ms Mahomed’s family paid tribute to her after her death as a “bright, kind and beautiful soul”.
During a memorial held earlier this year on what would have been her graduation, Ms Mahomed’s younger brother, Zain Mahomed, unveiled a plaque underneath a cherry blossom planted in her memory.
The plaque read: “In loving memory of our forever shining star, Aalia Mohamed. A beloved daughter, sister, philosopher, physicist and friend. November 4 2004 to March 18 2025.”
He said: “My sister was amazing. She was really smart, lovely, funny. I wish I could say something nice about the ceremony today. I wish I could say I was happy to be here, but it’s painful.”
About 40 friends, family members and people from KCL gathered to pay tribute to the student. Her mother, Samira Shafi, was given her honorary degree certificate, awarded posthumously.
The family has launched a campaign to build a high school in Malawi in honour of Ms Mahomed, to be called Be More Aalia.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Shitij Kapur also said at the time: “Aalia was in her second year of study for her BSc in Physics & Philosophy in the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Science and the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we offer them our deepest condolences. Aalia’s family has asked that we respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of their daughter.”
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