Reckless driver Rohail Jillani from Rusholme, Greater Manchester responsible for a tragic accident that killed a 17-year-old girl during a 98mph collision, was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday (4).
Jillani, who was inhaling laughing gas and had no hands on the wheel, while he shared his reckless actions on social media, referring to it as his "Big Day", media reports said.
Moments later, he lost consciousness due to the fumes, causing his speeding white Mercedes A180 to veer across the road and crash into a railway bridge at the junction of Temperance Street on Mancunian Way in Manchester, on January 10 last year.
The incident that took place at 11:30 pm resulted in fatal multiple injuries for 17-year-old Nadia Yusuf, who was seated in the front. Another occupant, Shafi Sufi, aged 20, survived but sustained severe, life-altering injuries.
Nadia, who was "looking forward to a bright future" according to her mum, tragically succumbed to her injuries approximately two hours later.
The driver, 25-year-old Jillani, posted boastful videos on social media after the incident.
Investigations revealed that he had been 'showing off' to his passengers just before the accident, by taking both hands off the wheel. Police discovered a video of him inhaling nitrous oxide for Snapchat.
Although he expressed "real sorrow" for Nadia's death, Jillani subsequently proceeded to post a series of videos on TikTok, displaying himself in the gym, showcasing his muscles, and boasting about his recovery journey while awaiting sentencing for causing death by dangerous driving.
One video caption read: "Ups and downs but when you have a purpose then there's no limit to greatness"
Another caption said: " Survivor. Determined. Focused. On a mission to be the best I can be. Do it cos the angels are watching."
The videos, which surfaced this week following his sentence, evoked disgust from fellow TikTok users on Thursday, October 5.
On the night of the accident, the Snapchat clip captures Jillani filming with one hand and inhaling balloons filled with nitrous oxide, or laughing gas with the other. The video's background is filled with loud music.
A man working nearby heard an "extremely loud bang," according to prosecutor Rachel Widdicombe. Upon investigating the crash site, he discovered Jillani conscious but "dazed and confused," while his two passengers were unconscious.
Jillani, who is a university graduate sustained a brain injury in the crash along the 40mph limit road. Nadia was pronounced dead in the hospital two hours later, while Sufi, 20, suffered a series of serious injuries, requiring a hip replacement.
Jillani asserts he has no memory of the incident. On Wednesday, he was also banned from driving for nine years and ten weeks, a penalty that will be enforced upon his release.
The sentencing, Judge, Alan Conrad KC told Jillani, "Nadia Yusuf lost her life in the collision caused by your driving.
"She was a young woman with everything to live for, whose life brought great joy to all."
In a statement, Nadia's family disclosed that she was pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatrician. They said, "She was taken from us by Jillani's reckless actions that could have been prevented and that have left a hole in our family which can never be repaired.
"Although no amount of time behind bars will bring Nadia back or be enough, we have hope that the justice system will prevail and kickstart our healing process."
Kulsuma Aktergetty images