Preeti Dhunna was left in an induced coma in intensive care after being hit by Syed Raza Rizvi
19:40, 14 Jan 2026Updated 19:51, 14 Jan 2026
Syed Raza Rizvi, 29, of Highclere Road, Manchester. (Image: LinkedIn)
A man ‘driving like a maniac’ before he ploughed into a woman – leaving her in a coma in intensive care – tried to blame her following the horror smash.
Syed Raza Rizvi, 29, was seen in his black VW Golf R ‘flying’ past queuing cars, and through a red light, before hitting pedestrian Preeti Dhunna on Cromwell Road in Salford on December 23, 2023.
A witness said he earlier feared he was ‘going to kill somebody’. Confronted by passers-by after the crash, he responded: “She just stepped out in front of me.”
Rizvi has now been sentenced to two years and six months following a Manchester Crown Court hearing. He earlier pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Prosecuting, Andrew MacKintosh told the court the incident happened outside a Texaco garage. Witness Glenn McCutcheon was waiting at a junction nearby when he was overtaken by the defendant.
“The driver forced his way in front of him and continued onwards, appearing well in excess of the speed limit,” Mr MacKintosh said. “He remarked to his wife that the driver ‘was going to kill somebody’ and was ‘driving like a maniac’.”
Preeti Dhunna pictured in intensive care (Image: Family handout)
Another witness, Connor Hadfield, was waiting to cross near the garage. “He heard a loud engine, and saw a car on the wrong side of the road, overtaking a lane of cars,” Mr MacKintosh added.
“The driver continued through the crossing, flying past on the wrong side of the road and then swerving back into the left lane.
Mr Hadfield then witnessed the crash. “He described seeing her ‘flying up into the air’,” the prosecutor said. “The defendant was heard to say ‘what did I just hit?’.”
A third witness, Wayne Hunter, stopped to help Ms Dhunna. “Bystanders were shouting at the defendant that he was driving too fast. His response was ‘she just stepped out in front of me’,” Mr MacKintosh said.
Video footage played in court showed Ms Dhunna waiting on the pavement and looking both ways before crossing. Police spoke to Rizvi at the scene, who claimed she crossed the road without looking, and denied that he had been speeding. Rizvi was arrested and gave no comment at interview.
Police at the scene(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Ms Dhunna was taken to hospital by air ambulance. With a bleed on the brain, she was placed into a coma and had a breathing tube inserted. She suffered fractures to her pelvis, vertebrae and left ankle and remained in hospital for five weeks.
“Ms Dhunna says her life is completely changed, describing herself as lonely,” Mr MacKintosh said. “She is frustrated and angry at the pain she suffers. She has lost her independence and is unable to do what she used to. She struggles with showering and buying groceries.
“She has returned to work but has to ask other staff for help. She is scared of walking near roads. She says the defendant has destroyed her from top to bottom.”
Rizvi initially contested the charge before pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving . The prosecutor said Rizvi has two previous convictions for breach of public order in 2023, and assault in 2024.
Defending, James Hudson told the court Rizvi had a clean driving license and was university educated. “His family very highly of him as a caring, devoted son,” Mr Hudson added. “He speaks of feeling shame for what he has caused.”
Officers at the scene following the crash(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
“How do I square that with what he said to the police, essentially that it was her fault?,” presiding judge Nicholas Dean countered.
“He does not seek to blame her in any way,” came the response. “What else can he have meant by saying the victim stepped out in front of him?,” the judge persisted.
“He tells me he is genuinely remorseful,” Mr Hudson said. “He has struggled to come to terms with the impact of his actions. His mental health has taken a decline, he takes medication for depression and there was an instance of suicidal ideation.”
The court heard Rizvi has ‘aspirations for the future’, has the support of his brothers and is ‘essential’ in caring for his mother, whom he lives with.
Addressing Rizvi, Judge Dean said: “Ms Dhunna was crossing the road in a proper way, having looked in both directions. The only reason that she was struck was your excessive speed. At the scene you were described as being aggressive and arrogant.
“She describes her lengthy recovery and the ongoing issues she faces. Her injuries were grave and life-threatening.
“It seems that you continue to blame her for what occurred. You said that her not looking caused the accident. It did not. It mostly seems that you feel sorry for yourself.”
He was banned from driving for three years and three months, after which he must take a retest. “I would not have suspended this sentence even if I could have,” the judge concluded.
Rizvi, of Highclere Road, Manchester, turned and gestured to his family in the public gallery. “Take it easy, I love you – f*** my life,” he was heard to remark as he was led to the cells.