Speeding driver ignored dead-end sign before killing ‘beautiful’ couple by ploughing into concrete wall without braking

A SPEEDING driver killed a beautiful couple in a horror crash after he ignored a dead-end sign.

Kyle Khan, 26, and his wife Meesha Afzal, 22, died instantly when the vehicle they were passengers in ploughed into a wall near the M42.

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Eidnun Liaquat, who had previously admitted two charges of causing death by careless driving, was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years.

The 28-year-old of Chirbury Grove, Northfield, was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £1,500 costs.

Paul Spratt, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said of the victims: “They were two people in the prime of their young lives. They had hopes and aspirations which, sadly, will be unfulfilled.”

The accident happened at 1.50am on December 13, 2020, after the couple and Liaquat, who had been in Solihull, had spent the evening together.

About 20 minutes earlier a police officer had seen the Mercedes being driven by the defendant going in excess of the 30mph speed limit.

“Alcohol had been consumed and that might be the reason why Liaquat was driving,” said Mr Spratt.

He said the defendant had taken some cannabis but was below the legal limit.

“Quite how they ended up in that side road off the Warwick Road is not clear. The road was plainly a dead end.

“Had Liaquat observed signs that were available to him from the roundabout he would have known that.

“The road goes from a dual carriageway to a single track road. There is a solid concrete wall at the end.”

Mr Spratt said a witness had estimated that before the collision Liaquat had been travelling at between 30 and 40mph.

“There is no sign of braking as he approached the part of the road he should not have been on.”

Both Kyle and Meesha, who were both wearing seat belts, suffered “catastrophic” injuries as a result of the collision while Liaquat also sustained a broken left hip and chest injuries.

In passing sentence Judge Simon Drew KC said: “Ultimately this is a tragic case in which two young people lost their lives.”

He said what happened was at night and in wet conditions and continued: “You were driving down a road which was a dead-end. There were signs which clearly said so.

“Any careful and considerate driver would have seen these. The failure to realise that you were driving down a dead-end was a serious failure on your part and you were driving at speed.”

The judge said Liaquat was driving a car with three passengers and went on: “That increased the care that you needed to take, their lives were in your hands, literally.”

However, he said: “You are a man of positive good character and Kyle Khan was your best friend and Meesha was his wife.

“I accept that the impact upon you has been grave and your expressions of remorse are genuine and sincere.”

Graham Henson, defending, said: “Kyle Khan was his best friend. They were almost like brothers.

“The effect on the families of Kyle Khan and Meesha Afzal has been devastating and the effect on Liaquat has also been devastating.”

He said the defendant worked as a postman, did not have a great recollection of the accident and believed that he had braked.

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