Fatal High-Speed Crash Leads to Jail Sentences
A driver and his passenger who recorded themselves inhaling from a balloon while driving at speeds exceeding 130mph (209km/h) have been sentenced to prison following a fatal collision involving their vehicle.
Uways Hussain, 20, from Burnage, received an 11-year and eight-month sentence at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. His passenger, Usmon Mahmood, was sentenced to 12 years and nine months for aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving.
Details of the Crash
The victim, Sylvester Abayomi, 50, died when Hussain's car collided with his vehicle at 139mph (223.7km/h) in a 30mph zone on Kingsway on 9 March.
Footage captured by Hussain and Mahmood showed them running red lights and weaving through traffic at dangerously high speeds.
Greater Manchester Police described the incident as "one of the worst disregards of speeding officers have seen."
Judicial Remarks
Following the sentencing, Judge Nicholas Dean characterized the crash as "wholly unnecessary and entirely avoidable."
"It [the crash] was a sustained, deliberate and escalating course of highly dangerous conduct over a prolonged period."
Sequence of Events
Abayomi had entered Kingsway on a green light before being fatally struck at approximately 04:36 GMT by the vehicle Hussain was driving, which had run a red light.
Abayomi’s partner, Denise, described him as "the most caring soul and gentle person you could ever meet. He had time for everybody and is loved by everyone. Syll will be sadly missed."
Evidence from Footage
Video evidence shown in court, recorded by Hussain and Mahmood in the hours prior to the collision, depicted the car traveling at speeds exceeding four times the legal limit, running red lights, and weaving through traffic while the pair inhaled from a balloon.
On multiple occasions, the vehicle reached speeds over 130mph, and seconds before the crash, it was recorded traveling at 139mph, according to police reports.
Additional Information
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