Driver denies high-speed race before fatal crash

A driver who was just behind a car which crashed into and killed a mother and daughter on their way to the youngster's nursery has denied the vehicles were racing.

Justyna Hulboj, 27, and four-year-old Lena Czepczor were struck by an Audi TT RS on the pavement on Scott Hall Road in Leeds on 16 January 2023.

Jasskamal Riyat had been driving his BMW 1 Series closely behind. He had filmed the 560hp Audi, which later struck the pair, on his phone, because he "liked the sound of the souped up engine".

Riyat, 37, of Buck Stone Avenue in Leeds, denies causing death by dangerous driving. The driver of the Audi, Hardeep Bachu, has already pleaded guilty to the same offence.

The defendant previously told police he was "doing a steady 40" and may have gone over the speed limit as he was on his way to a meeting a work.

Leeds Crown Court also heard that Riyat said he was not aware of the Audi, which had been modified to make it more powerful, despite moving lanes at the last minute at traffic lights so the cars were next to each other.

Prosecutor Carmel Pearson reminded Riyat he had told officers on five occasions he was going about 40mph but he changed his estimate to 50mph earlier after watching footage in court.

The road had a 40mph speed limit.

Previously the court heard Riyat was "right behind" Bachu when he was measured travelling at 89mph (143km/h), 197ft (60m) away from where the collision took place.

However Riyat insisted the pair were not racing but told the jury he did speak to Bachu through their windows and said, "is that slow?" and called him a "mad head".

After the Audi struck the victims, Riyat said he saw that an accident had taken place and an ambulance was on the way but drove on to work.

He later showed colleagues Snapchat videos of the Audi but was arrested that afternoon.

The trial continues.

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