Blackburn crash teen told police he was ‘driving at 100mph’

Blackburn magistrates heard the pursuit only ended when Hasnain Choudhry collided with a car and then a bus. When he was being treated he told police and paramedics he had been doing in excess of 100mph when he lost control on Accrington[1] Road near the junction with Harwood Street. After hearing Choudhry was already subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed for dangerous driving in June 2023, District Judge Alexandra Preston told the defendant he was in "deep trouble."

"The starting point for this offence is 18 months but there are numerous aggravating factors that make it more serious," said District Judge Preston. "You are already subject to a suspended prison sentence for an identical matter and you are clearly looking at a lengthy prison sentence." Choudhry, 19, of Greenside Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court where he will be sentenced on February 26. A charge of fraudulently using false number plates was withdrawn. Glenn Anderton, prosecuting, said officers on patrol were alerted to a vehicle possibly bearing cloned plates.

They saw the vehicle on Higher Eanam travelling towards Copy Nook and when they turned road the vehicle sped off. It went through a red light onto Copy Nook and was doing more than 80mph at that stage[2]. Mr Anderton said the car then used the bus lane to pass other vehicles.

"It went onto the opposite side of the road at the traffic lights at the junction with Harwood Street," said Mr Anderton. "The vehicle was travelling at extremely high speed and the driver lost control, colliding with a car and then a bus. When officers approached the car there was someone in the passenger seat and the defendant was on the back seat." Mr Anderton said while he was receiving medical treatment Choudhry made several admissions which were heard by a paramedic and recorded by a police officer.

"In his words, he said he was doing in excess of 100 mph when he lost control," said Mr Anderton.

He said in June 2023 Choudry was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for 18 months for an offence of dangerous driving.

"Clearly this latest offence falls into the top most serious bracket," said Mr Anderton.

References

1. ^ Accrington (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)
2. ^ stage (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)