A man who killed a mother of three and her daughter unborn child on the M66 has been jailed for 12 years and issued a further disqualification from driving for 13 years.
The court heard how a black BMW was being driven erratically by Adil Iqbal,22 of Hope Street, Accrington was seen weaving in between vehicles, overtaking and dangerously undertaking other cars.
Witnesses saw the black BMW driving erratically for a large stretch of motorway before the fatal collision.
As the black BMW was being driven at such high speeds, Iqbal began to lose control of his vehicle which proceeded to spin round and collide with the victim, Frankie Hough’s car which was stationary on the hard shoulder.
Iqbal managed to free himself from his car with Frankie, who was pregnant at the time, and her three children all trapped inside the vehicle and were all unconscious apart from her 2-year-old son who was crying out for his mother.
Members of the public courageously assisted in trying to free the family from the vehicle until emergency services arrived a short time later.
Frankie was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries and three children were also taken to hospital, two of whom suffered serious injuries and one with minor injuries.
Sadly, she died in hospital a few days later on Monday 15 May as a result of her injuries.
Iqbal was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was subsequently charged and remanded into custody.
Detective Constable Richie Hughes of GMP’s Road Policing Unit, said: “My thoughts are of course with Frankie’s family and her children who were also involved in the collision. I truly hope that the sentencing of Adil Iqbal who is a dangerous and reckless individual – brings her family and loved ones some form of closure.
“Iqbal’s actions that day were nothing short of appalling. He knowingly and willingly chose to drive his car at those speeds with little regard for other drivers on the motorway at the time.
“He showed absolutely no regard for the law or other road users that day.
“Sadly, Frankie and three young children were caught up in his recklessness and we have lost another life to dangerous driving.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to warn people to please think about how you drive and the high speeds you can reach in vehicles. Think not only of yourself, but your family, your friends, your loved ones and most importantly think about other people who you could hurt.”
