A Polish-born social media influencer was in life-threatening condition Tuesday after a car struck her and two other pedestrians in central London’s Soho district early Sunday, authorities said.
Klaudia Zakrzewska, known online as Klaudiaglam with more than 250,000 Instagram followers, was hit around 4:30 a.m. Sunday on Argyll Street off Oxford Street outside the Inca nightclub, Metropolitan Police said. A man in his 50s suffered life-changing injuries and a woman in her 30s received minor injuries. Both were hospitalized.
Police said Zakrzewska, in her 30s, remained in critical condition as of Monday evening. Some friends and social media posts have claimed she died, but authorities have not confirmed her death and continue to describe her injuries as life-threatening.
Gabrielle Carrington, 29, of Manchester, a former X Factor contestant who performed with the girl group Miss Dynamix in 2013 and is known online as RielleUK, has been charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm and drink-driving, police said. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody. She is due to appear at the Old Bailey on May 19.
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Witnesses told police the women had been involved in a physical altercation outside the nightclub before the car was driven into the group of pedestrians. Graphic video circulating online appears to show the incident, including the car striking Zakrzewska and reversing over her while she was on the ground, according to media reports. Police have urged the public not to share the footage out of respect for the victims and to avoid prejudicing proceedings.
Carrington was arrested at the scene. A breath test showed she was over the legal alcohol limit, according to court reports.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime South command said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with those injured and their loved ones.” She appealed for witnesses, noting venues in the area were still open at the time. Information can be submitted via the major incident portal or by calling 101 with reference 3374/19APR.
Zakrzewska had been on a night out with friends at the nightclub, reports said. Some unconfirmed social media accounts described the altercation as a rivalry between influencers, possibly linked to a man, but police have released no details on a motive.
An Instagram post shared shortly after the incident by user Olabisi Balogun carried a trigger warning and stated: “Few hours after posting up at the club, UK influencer Klaudia said to be in critical condition after she got ran over by another lady over a man.”
The investigation continues.
