Tom Wood
A man filmed himself driving at almost 100mph before killing a 17-year-old girl in a fatal crash.
Rohail Jillani was jailed today (4 October) for the crash in January 2022 that killed 17-year-old Nadia Yusuf in Manchester.
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Jillani was filming himself driving at 98mph on Snapchat just before he crashed his Mercedes into a railway bridge on Mancunian Way in the city centre, killing Yusuf and leaving his 18-year-old passenger with significant life-changing injuries.
The 25-year-old was sentenced to eight years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was further disqualified from driving for nine years and 10 weeks.
Yusuf was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash, sitting in the front seat while the other passenger sat in the back.
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Witnesses said that Jillani had been seen taking nitrous oxide balloons as well as recording the drive on Snapchat as he hurtled along the busy dual carriageway road.
He was also said to have been undertaking other drivers and reaching speeds up to 98mph, as can be seen on the speedometer of his car in the video footage.
Approaching a curve in the road, Jillani lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a safety barrier before spinning out and hitting the railway bridge near to Temperance Street.
Nadia was taken to hospital but later died of her injuries sustained in the crash.
Detective Constable Oliver Batty, of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Jillani’s actions were reckless and dangerous and have ultimately resulted in a young woman losing her life.
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“Today’s sentence reflects the utter disregard that Jillani had for his passengers and the rules of the road that we, as the public, have to adhere to, day in and day out, to keep each other safe.
"Jillani chose, through his own volition, to use nitrous oxide, drive at excessive speeds and film himself in the moments that preceded this fatal collision and I hope the sentence today brings some closure to Nadia's family."
After he was sentenced, Nadia’s family released a statement that read: “Our family is here today to honour Nadia, her life and her legacy.
"Nadia was the oldest child and a big sister to her five siblings.
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“She was an amazing student and community member, and had a passion for helping people.
"She was studying Health and Social Care and was working to become a paediatrician.
"With her passion and determination, there was no doubt she was well on her way to achieve any goal that she put her mind to.
"Unfortunately, at the age of 17, she was taken from us by Jillani's reckless actions that could have been prevented and that have left a hole in our family which can never be repaired.
"Although no amount of time behind bars will bring Nadia back or be enough, we have hope that the justice system will prevail and kickstart our healing process.
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“We will miss beautiful Nadia forever.”