“Selfish and cowardly” driver who abandoned passenger after South Yorkshire crash jailed
A “selfish and cowardly” driver who abandoned his seriously injured passenger and fled the scene after a crash in Yorkshire has been jailed.
Hamza Hussain, 23, was driving a Volkswagen Golf with two passengers in on June 17, 2024 - front seat passenger Mohammed Waheed and a 15-year-old boy who was in the rear seat.
As Hussain was driving around the Bramall Lane roundabout off St Mary’s Gate in Sheffield, he lost control of the car and left the carriageway, crashing into the railings.
Both passengers were seriously injured.
Mohammed required immediate intervention by paramedics in an attempt to save his life.
He was taken to hospital but died two days later.
At the scene, with his friends critically injured, Hussain fled the scene.
An investigation by the Serious Collisions Unit highlighted that in the immediate aftermath of the collision Hussain made two calls, one to a relative and one to the person he ‘borrowed’ the car from.
Data and footage also uncovered how Hussain had been driving at excessive speed through the city, reaching speeds of over 60mph in 30mph zones, and when losing control, the car was travelling at 49mph.
A short time later, Hussain handed himself in to police custody and was questioned.
During his interviews, Hussain admitted to using an associate’s car and could not provide insurance documents for the vehicle.
Hussain pleaded guilty on January 20 at Sheffield Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving without insurance.
On May 19, he appeared before the same court for sentencing.
Hussain was sentenced to five years and four months in prison and disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months and ordered to sit an extended retest.
Sergeant of the Serious Collision Unit John Taylor explains more: “Our thoughts remain with Mohammed’s family, friends and all those who loved him.
“Hussain has been given a custodial sentence, and while this will never undo the death and destruction caused by his actions, justice for Mohammed and his family has been achieved.
“I also hope that today’s sentencing sends a strong warning to those who have a lack of regard for the law. We know that those who drive without insurance are more likely to take risks, including those that include the fatal 4 offences: the biggest contributing factors to deaths on our roads.
“We are committed to stopping those who pose a risk on our roads, and I am pleased that Hussain will now face the consequences for his actions.”
Judge KC Graham Steed who passed sentence on Hussain remarked: “You were young, immature and an inexperienced driver behind the wheel of a powerful car.
“Whether you were showing off or incapable, your standards were below that of a responsible driver.
“No amount of sentence will put a value on Mohammed Waheed’s life, but it needs to put punishment on you for his death.”