Mum of man who died from injuries after car crashed into pedestrians on Christmas Day speaks out
The mum of a man who died from his injuries after being hit by a car on Christmas Day has spoken out about his loss.
Aidan Chapman, 25, was rushed to hospital on Christmas Day in the early hours of the morning after being one of four people hurt when a car crashed into pedestrians in London.
The father-of-one died of his injuries on New Year's Eve.
A man had driven on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue and a 30-year-old named Anthony Gilheaney was charged with four counts of attempted murder, along with causing serious injury by driving whilst disqualified and possessing a knife in a public place.
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Police are treating Aidan's death as a homicide.
In the immediate aftermath of their son's death, his parents called Aidan 'a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him', and his mum has spoken out further.
Speaking to the Metro, Aidan's mum Yasemin Akcajoca, 61, said she had 'lost the light of my life' after his death.
She said: "He was the light of everyone’s life he was so unique.
"On the day it happened he went out with a friend, he had so many friends. I didn’t want him to go out. The last thing he said was ‘I’ll see you in a couple of hours’. Then I got a call at 4am from the hospital. The worst call ever.
"The police took me to the hospital with blue lights. The journey was a nightmare it seemed to take forever. His injuries were too bad. He did not regain consciousness. I held his hand and spoke to him. It’s heartbreaking. I have lost my best friend.
"He was a great dad and a friend to all. He loved music and diving he was just such an amazing character. He wanted a career in music, music was his world."
She went on to add that he was 'brilliant together and really close' with his 16-year-old sister and leaves behind a five-year-old son.
"We have not got his body so we cannot plan the funeral. It’s so stressful, we have been given so little information," Yasemin said to the Metro.
"My daughter hasn’t come out of her room, we are very broken. I have to go forward for her sake.
"Aidan’ son is young but his mother said she will keep Aidan’s memory alive with him."
The 25-year-old's mum said that the many messages and offers of help she'd received after her son's death was 'a reflection of how popular Aidan was'.
Anthony Gilheaney is expected to appear before the Old Bailey on 24 January, the Metropolitan Police said the charges against him would be reviewed in the wake of Aidan's death.
Joe Harker