Widow tells of her anguish over taxi driver killed by stolen BMW

Mohammed Yousaf, 49, died after he was struck at around 11.30pm on Saturday as he waited to pick up a fare in Argie Avenue, Kirkstall, Leeds.

Yesterday his wife of 24 years, Shanaz, 43, said: “I knew something was wrong when I couldn’t speak with him.

“I called him at around half eleven but got no answer. He always makes sure he can speak with me at that time as it’s the time I go to bed.

“The next call I got was from my cousin at the taxi rank telling me there had been an accident and asking me to go to hospital.”

Mr Yousaf had been looking forward to attending the graduation ceremony of his 22-year-old daughter, Mariam. “We had just found out that she had got a first-class degree in teaching. He was so proud of her,” Mrs Yousaf said.

Along with his eldest daughter, he also leaves behind a son, Hassan, 20, and a further three daughters, Aisha, 19, 15-year-old Sonia and Sara, 12.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said a black 3 series BMW collided with Mr Yousaf’s maroon Skoda Octavia private hire vehicle. It is believed that two males abandoned the BMW and fled the scene.

A 23-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide and major inquiry team on 101.