A devastating tragedy unfolded on a seemingly ordinary morning, leaving a community in shock and a family shattered. A trial is currently underway, presenting a harrowing account of how a mother and her young daughter were tragically killed while on their way to nursery. The prosecution alleges that the fatal incident was the direct result of a reckless "race" between two drivers on Scott Hill Road in Leeds.
Justyna Hulboj, aged 27, and her four-year-old daughter, Lena Czepczor, lost their lives on January 16, 2023, when an Audi TT veered onto the pavement. The driver of the Audi, Hardeep Bhachu, 27, has already pleaded guilty to causing their deaths through dangerous driving. However, a second man, Jasskamal Riyat, 35, is now on trial at Leeds Crown Court, denying the charges against him.
Carmel Pearson, representing the prosecution, laid out the case, explaining that Riyat was driving a BMW at the time of the collision. She stated, "This defendant was also driving dangerously on the same road." The core of the prosecution's argument is that both drivers were engaged in a high-speed, dangerous maneuver on Scott Hall Road. Witnesses described their driving as "rapid," involving heavy braking and erratic movements that endangered other road users. The prosecution contends that their actions were so extreme that they were clearly "racing."
Ms. Pearson explained that while the two drivers did not know each other, they found themselves side-by-side at traffic lights. When the lights changed, the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash began. The prosecution claims that Riyat's BMW accelerated from the lights at speed, ahead of Bhachu's Audi.
But here's where it gets controversial... Dashcam footage presented in court reportedly includes audio that reveals the BMW revving its engine. The court heard that the two men had a conversation through their open windows while waiting at a red traffic light. Ms. Pearson revealed that a transcript of this conversation indicates a discussion about the horsepower of Bhachu's car and the phrase "full throttle." Riyat is also heard thanking Bhachu for a compliment, responding with "thanks bro."
According to the prosecution, the two cars then "travelled in convoy" down Scott Hall Road, undertaking and overtaking other vehicles. They were observed to be matching each other's speed and mimicking each other's driving patterns. Shortly before the collision, both cars stopped at another red light. And this is the part most people miss... Ms. Pearson described how Riyat took out his phone and placed it on the steering wheel. As the Audi pulled away at excessive speed, Riyat's BMW also set off at speed, with his speedometer showing him traveling at 50 mph while he was still filming.
Tragically, it was at this moment that the Audi left the carriageway, hit the kerb, spun, and mounted the pavement, striking Justyna Hulboj and her daughter. The court heard that Riyat continued to his workplace after the incident and later attended a medical center, where he exchanged messages with a colleague and sent the video from his mobile phone.
The prosecution emphasized that Riyat's responsibility for the deaths is not diminished simply because his car did not directly strike the pedestrians. His actions and dangerous driving prior to the collision are what the prosecution argues make him culpable. Ms. Pearson concluded her opening statement by stating, "This, members of the jury, wasn't just a tragedy that befell that family. It was an entirely foreseeable event."
This case raises profound questions about accountability and the consequences of reckless behavior on our roads. Do you believe that Riyat bears as much responsibility as the driver who directly caused the impact, given his alleged participation in the "race" and his actions leading up to the fatal collision? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
