Speeding Lamborghini driver jailed for killing friend in M62 crash

A woman has been sentenced to a decade in prison after causing a fatal crash involving her friend while driving a rented Lamborghini. The incident occurred on the M62 near Ripponden in West Yorkshire in December 2022. Mohammed Shaan Hussain, 20, lost his life when the £200,000 supercar overturned and caught fire following the accident. The court was told that Humaira Batool, 26, from Bradford, was driving at speeds reaching up to 140 mph (230 km/h) in wet and dark conditions just moments before the crash.

During the trial, jurors examined the circumstances leading to the tragic collision. It emerged that Batool had taken control of the vehicle after the two switched seats while en route to HMP Leeds, where they planned to pick up a friend. The crash occurred within eight seconds of Batool assuming the wheel. Despite Batool’s claim that Hussain had interfered with the car’s controls by reaching over and causing the vehicle to surge, the jury dismissed this explanation. The judge also rejected other defenses, including mechanical failure and aquaplaning, emphasizing that Batool’s reckless driving was the sole cause of the accident.

Judge Ray Singh described the event as a result of Batool’s conscious choice to drive “at eye-watering extreme speeds on a damp motorway in darkness.” He highlighted that her actions were not a mere momentary lapse but a deliberate decision to operate a high-powered vehicle under hazardous conditions, placing herself, her passenger, and other road users at significant risk. The judge added, “You deliberately exposed your passenger, yourself and other road users to an obvious and grave risk of death or serious injury. Tragically, that risk materialised.”

Hussain suffered fatal injuries in the crash, while Batool sustained severe injuries, including burns over 10% of her body and a fractured tibia. Although Batool was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving in September, she failed to attend her scheduled sentencing, citing a medical issue that her legal team later described as genuine, though the prosecutor suggested otherwise. In sentencing, Judge Singh expressed deep sorrow over Hussain’s “tragic and entirely avoidable” death, noting the horrific nature of his final moments. Family members paid tribute, describing Hussain as a dearly loved son and brother whose death has caused immense grief. Batool received a 10-year prison sentence, a decade-long driving ban, and a requirement to pass an extended driving test before regaining her license. Detective Inspector Paul Conroy underscored the importance of responsible driving, especially when behind the wheel of a powerful car like the Lamborghini involved in this fatal incident