Speeding Glasgow driver mounted pavement and killed ‘talented’ student as she waited to cross road

A driver speeding in Glasgow city centre [1] mounted the pavement and killed a student as she waited to cross the road. Akbar Razaq was going at double the 30mph limit in his Audi A4 on the night of February 2 2023. The 29-year-old hit another car before mounting the pavement and crashing into a traffic light pole.

Chinenye Okonkwo was waiting to cross the road but ended up being crushed between railings and the front of the Audi. The 33-year-old - who was studying Public Health at Glasgow Caledonian University [2] - sadly did not survive. Razaq is now behind bars after he admitted to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow [3].

He is due to be sentenced in May. Nigerian-born Chinenye had moved to the UK in 2022 to study in Glasgow. Members of her grieving family were able to watch and listen to the hearing today (Monday, March 24) from their home country.

Chinenye also held a part-time job at a nursing home in the east end [4] and was on her way to start a shift there when tragedy struck. Moments before the collision, the student stopped to await a gap in the traffic to cross. Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC explained: "Chinenye Okonkwo was standing on the pavement at the crossroads of Newton Street and St Vincent Street in Glasgow when she was struck by the speeding Audi A4 driven by Razaq.

"The Audi had already been struck by a Ford Fiesta as it began to make a right turn into St Vincent Street from the left-hand lane at Newton Street." The court heard how Razaq had initially blasted his horn at the Fiesta driver to try and avoid a crash. But, the Audi was hit before going onto the pavement and smacking into the traffic light post.

Chinenye was then struck by both the motor and pole, causing her to be pinned between the railings and the car. Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here [5] and get the latest news sent straight to your messages Razaq got out to "remonstrate" with the other driver.

It was only then that a passenger in his car spotted Chinenye under the Audi. Razaq moved the Audi and a 999 call was made. The court heard Chinenye received "extensive advanced life support" at the scene, but did not recover.

Crash investigators concluded the collision was caused by "negligence on the part of both drivers". But, Mr Prentice added: "Despite different degrees of responsibility, it is also their opinion that the blame for the death is attributed to the driver of the Audi due to his dangerous manner of driving at excessive speed. This resulted in him being unable to avoid a collision.

"Had he driven within permitted speed limits, it is unlikely the collision would have occurred." The investigators added the Ford driver had not performed "final safety checks" before carrying out the turn. However, it was said she "could not reasonably expect" the Audi to have been approaching her "at such excessive speed".

The indictment stated he was going at 60mph in the 30mph zone. The Fiesta driver had also initially been charged [6], but she no longer faces prosecution. John Scullion KC, defending, today said Razaq, of the city's Kinning Park, wanted to apologise for what happened.

He had shown "deep regret and remorse". Razaq had been on bail, but Mr Scullion did not move for that to be continued. Lord Mulholland deferred sentencing [7] for reports.

Addressing Chinenye's family, the judge said: "I have read the victim impact statement and it is clear she was a much-loved sister and daughter. She had huge potential and was working hard to fund herself through university. "From what I have read, she was a very talented and hard-working woman.

"It is an utter tragedy for you.

You have my deepest sympathies."

References

^ city centre (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ Glasgow Caledonian University (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ High Court in Glasgow (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ east end (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ had also initially been charged (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ sentencing (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
^ newsletter here (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)