Mum Left Trapped and Screaming After Reckless Audi Driver Crashes at 90mph
A mother was left trapped, screaming, and bloodied in her car after a reckless Audi driver travelling at three times the speed limit ploughed into her vehicle near Birmingham City's football ground. The horrific collision occurred shortly before midnight on March 29, 2024, near St. Andrew's Stadium, leaving the woman with life-altering injuries.
Dangerous Overtaking on Blind Corner Leads to Devastating Crash
Azam Adal, 30, was driving an Audi S3 at approximately 90mph on a road with a 30mph limit when he overtook another vehicle on a blind corner. He then slammed into a Toyota Yaris that had just pulled out of Arsenal Street. The impact was so severe that it shunted the Yaris several yards down the road and caused the Audi to spin, ending up facing the wrong direction.
Collision investigators determined that Adal had been travelling at 90mph moments before the crash, slowing only slightly to 77-80mph just 15 metres prior to impact. CCTV footage played in court captured the extraordinarily loud sound of the Audi zooming past, followed by screeching brakes and a huge bang.
Victim Suffers Catastrophic Injuries and Lengthy Hospitalisation
The mother, who was in the front passenger seat of the Yaris, suffered multiple severe injuries including a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, broken ribs, pelvis, vertebrae, and coccyx, as well as injuries to her liver and spleen. She required two blood transfusions, surgery, and has had screws and plates fitted.
Her victim impact statement revealed that she was hospitalised for three months, unable to see her two young daughters during that time. She now lives with her parents, requires carers up to four times a day, and cannot get upstairs. Her hopes of training as a nurse have been dashed, and her mental health, bond with her children, and relationship with her husband have all been severely affected.
Driver Flees Scene and Orchestrates Cover-Up Attempt
After the collision, Adal showed no concern for the victims. Instead, he demanded that the motorist he had just overtaken, Mr Khan, drive him away from the scene. He then called his brother-in-law, Luqmaan Ali, 29, who owned the Audi, to collect the keys and lie to police that the vehicle had been stolen.
Ali initially went along with the plan but later arranged a voluntary interview and confessed the truth, confirming that Adal was the driver. Adal's DNA was recovered from the airbag of the Audi, further corroborating his involvement.
Court Sentencing and Judge's Condemnation
At Birmingham Crown Court, Adal pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was jailed for three years and four months and banned from driving for six years and eight months. Ali admitted perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
Judge Andrew Lockhart KC described Adal's driving as "aggressive" and stated, "Had you been driving at the speed limit there would have been no collision and no need to brake. The impact is incredible." He also noted that Adal made no attempt to help the victims, instead focusing on his own escape.
The judge told Adal, "You locked yourself into this cover-up" with his brother-in-law. A probation officer reported that Adal "engaged in bravado while driving fast cars" and posed a high risk of harm to other road users.
Aftermath and Remorse
Defence barrister Michael Cogan stated that Adal, a stay-at-home dad whose wife works in the NHS, had shown genuine remorse and insight. Adal apologised to the victim in court, saying he had not appreciated she would be present.
For Ali, defence barrister Michael Goold explained that he agreed to lie under "considerable pressure and emotional blackmail" from Adal but suffered sleepless nights and eventually confessed. However, Judge Lockhart emphasised that Ali's biggest problem was that he drove to the scene, saw the wreckage firsthand, and still participated in the cover-up.
Fortunately, the other occupants of the Yaris—the woman's husband in the driver's seat and their baby daughter in the back—avoided serious injury. The case highlights the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the lengths some will go to evade responsibility.
