A 24-year-old man from Greenford has been jailed for causing the death of a 33-year-old woman by dangerous driving after his Range Rover crashed onto Park Royal Tube line.
Rida Kazem of Costons Avenue appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on 17 May, where he was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years’ imprisonment with his guilty plea.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years.
Kazem had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving on 16 February 2023.
Detective Constable Benjamin Simpson, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with Yagmur’s family and friends who have experienced the most tragic loss. CCTV footage recovered from the local area clearly shows Kazem travelling at excessive speed, and losing control of his car.
“His guilty plea was an acknowledgement that he should have known better, but this does not mitigate what he did. The driving he displayed in this incident was both deliberate and selfish with no regard for the public and has ultimately resulted in life changing injuries and the loss of Yagmur’s life.
“I fully understand the family’s frustration with the length of sentence handed down today. I hope that other motorists will reflect on this case and recognise that what they do behind the wheel can have tragic consequences.”
The court heard Kazem was driving a car involved in a fatal road traffic collision on the westbound A40 near to Park Royal Underground Station at 3:48am on 22 August 2022.
He was parked in a Range Rover outside a premise on Johnsons Way, NW10 when he picked up two women from the venue, before driving along Coronation Road.
Kazem had driven onto the A40, before he approached a set of red traffic lights and came to a stop. It was at this point that the lights turned green and Kazem accelerated away at considerable speed, reaching approximately 110mph; over twice the speed limit.
Kazem continued to drive the vehicle at speed, underestimating the slight bend in the road, which caused the vehicle to collide with the kerb. Due to the high speed impact, one of the back wheels came away from the vehicle, while the car continued to roll at speed towards a Tesla car park.
The vehicle then smashed into a stationary Tesla, with the driver, a man aged in his 50s, sat inside. The vehicle then flipped over a wall at speed and finally come to rest on the railway tracks of Park Royal Tube Station.
Emergency services immediately attended the scene and those involved were taken to a London hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of emergency services, 33-year-old Yagmur Ozden died at the scene. Her family continues to be supported by specialist officers.
The second passenger of the Range Rover, a woman aged in her 20s, and the driver of the Tesla have since made full recoveries.
Kazem was taken to hospital, where his injuries were originally assessed as critical. He has since made a full recovery. He refused to give a blood sample, after being requested to do so by police.
Detectives from the Serious Collision investigation Unit launched an urgent investigation, reviewing extensive CCTV of the lead-up to the collision and the collision itself. A number of key witnesses also provided statements to police and crucial evidence was provided by forensic collision investigator which included a full data download of the vehicle.
These enquiries led to the arrest of Kazem in October of last year where he was interviewed by police. He was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to provide a sample of blood.
Rida Kazem had two previous speeding offences with his most recent offence involving him travelling at 95mph in 50mph road for which he received a disqualification from the court. This driving ban ended in June 2022 just months prior to this fatal collision in August 2022.
