20-year-old Aalia Mahomed was in her second year of studying a physics and philosophy degree at King’s College London.
She died at the scene of the collision on The Strand last March.
Christopher Jackson has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He’s been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on March the 6th.
On the morning of the incident, Jackson arrived at work and was assigned, alongside a colleague, to collect two electric vehicles from Bush House in Aldwych.
After leaving Bush House’s courtyard, Jackson drove at speed towards a set of iron gates leading to the pedestrian zone of The Strand.
Jackson collided with the gates, which subsequently fell and also hit a 28-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, who were both taken to hospital. Their injuries were later assessed as life-changing but not life-threatening.
Jackson then drove the vehicle forwards, causing it to mount a flower bed. The vehicle became briefly airborne before colliding with Aalia, who was sitting on a bench on the other side of the flower bed, facing away from the vehicle. Jackson continued before coming to a stop close to the wall of St Mary-Le-Strand church.
Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, of the Met’s Serious Collison Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with Aalia’s friends and family at this time. We can only imagine the pain they are suffering and we know nothing can undo what’s happened. We hope today’s guilty plea brings them a small measure of comfort.
“I want to thank our officers for their dedication and professionalism in helping to achieve justice. We would also like to thank the members of the public who came to Aalia’s aid, and to all of those who assisted us with our investigation.”
