A pregnant woman suffered devastating consequences after a high-speed crash caused by a 16-year-old driver in Solihull, yet the culprit received a suspended sentence.
The Incident
On May 17, 2022, at around 7:30 p.m., Usman Qasim, then 16, drove a BMW he had purchased for £650 over a speed bump on the wet Cooks Lane in Chelmsley Wood. The vehicle became airborne, skidded across the road, and collided head-on with a Toyota Aygo driven by Rumana Akhtar, who was 14 weeks pregnant.
Mrs. Akhtar endured internal abdominal bleeding, leading to the loss of her unborn baby. She underwent multiple surgeries and now faces uncertainty about future fertility. Her husband sustained minor injuries in the collision.
Aftermath and Investigation
Qasim fled the scene, while one passenger remained to assist the victims and later told police he had urged Qasim to slow down. That passenger was briefly arrested but cleared of charges.
Investigators recovered a phone from the BMW containing Facebook messages about the car’s purchase that day, along with photos and videos of Qasim driving shortly before the crash, timestamped at 7:17 p.m. and 7:32 p.m. Police used these images in a public appeal, identifying Qasim in April 2023—nearly a year later. He initially denied driving but evidence proved otherwise.
Court Proceedings
Now 19 and residing on Wychbold Crescent in Kitts Green, Qasim pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Birmingham Crown Court on March 9. He arrived late, with his barrister explaining he felt scared and wanted his last free moments.
Prosecutor Thomas Griffiths described the crash: Mrs. Akhtar had no memory after passing a roundabout, but her husband recalled the blue BMW speeding over the bump, becoming airborne, and skidding into their lane.
Victim’s Impact
Mrs. Akhtar shared her ongoing trauma: “Emotionally I’m a wreck. I lost my baby and I’m still grieving.” She battles PTSD, anxiety in vehicles, and disruption to her active lifestyle, which once included two jobs, gym sessions, and mountain climbing. Family means everything to her and her husband, making the fertility concerns especially crushing.
Sentence and Mitigation
Judge Stacy Newnham-Payne highlighted the gravity: “The consequences of your actions are so significant, life-changing… You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and disregarded the risk of danger to others. Your speed was highly inappropriate for the road and conditions.” Probation reports noted Qasim driving 40-50 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Despite prior convictions for careless driving, unlicensed operation, and no insurance—plus a release from detention in early 2025—the court considered his youth, rehabilitation efforts, college enrollment, and desire to open a gym to aid mental health. Barrister Antonie Muller noted: “He has changed his life around… He’s very sorry for the life he did lead and the consequences.”
Qasim received an 18-month sentence suspended for two years, a two-year driving ban, 20 days of rehabilitation, and 200 hours of unpaid work. The youth discount halved his sentence, keeping it below custody threshold.
