A driver who filmed himself driving at almost 100mph moments before a fatal crash has been jailed.
Nadia Yusuf, 17, died after the Mercedes Rohail Jillani had been driving crashed into a railway bridge on the Mancunian Way, Manchester, in January 2022.
A second passenger – a male aged 18 at the time – received significant life-changing injuries.
Jillani,25,of Campbell Road, Manchester, was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison at Manchester Crown Court today after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was further disqualified from driving for nine years and ten weeks.
Jillani had been driving his Mercedes A180 along Mancunian Way with Nadia in the front seat and another rear-seat passenger.
Witnesses described Jillani using nitrous oxide ‘balloons’ and recording the journey on Snapchat as he sped along the carriageway, undertaking other slower moving vehicles and reaching speeds of 98mph.
As Jillani approached a nearside bend, he lost control of the vehicle, colliding with the offside safety barrier before spinning and striking the railway bridge at the junction of Temperance Street.
Nadia was taken to hospital but sadly later died from her injuries.
Detective Constable Oliver Batty, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Jillani’s actions were reckless and dangerous and have ultimately resulted in a young woman losing her life.
“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.”
‘Reckless actions have taken Nadia from us’
Speaking after the sentence, Nadia’s family released a tribute: “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. 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. We will miss beautiful Nadia forever .”
