A driver who was just behind a car which crashed into and killed a mother and daughter on their way to the youngster’s nursery has denied the vehicles were racing.
Justyna Hulboj, 27, and four-year-old Lena Czepczor were struck by an Audi TT RS on the pavement on Scott Hall Road in Leeds on 16 January 2023.
Jasskamal Riyat had been driving his BMW 1 Series closely behind. He had filmed the 560hp Audi, which later struck the pair, on his phone, because he “liked the sound of the souped up engine”.
Riyat, 37, of Buck Stone Avenue in Leeds, denies causing death by dangerous driving. The driver of the Audi, Hardeep Bachu, has already pleaded guilty to the same offence.
The defendant previously told police he was “doing a steady 40” and may have gone over the speed limit as he was on his way to a meeting a work.
Leeds Crown Court also heard that Riyat said he was not aware of the Audi, which had been modified to make it more powerful, despite moving lanes at the last minute at traffic lights so the cars were next to each other.