Driver who killed boy, 13, at 70mph on Birmingham dual carriageway jailed for three years

Mahwise Rani, 28, of Osborne Street, Nottingham, failed to stop after she struck Mason O’Grady, 13

A hit-and-run driver who killed a 13-year-old boy on a pelican crossing and drove off has been jailed for three years,

Mason O’Grady, 13, suffered catastrophic head injuries after he was hit by Mahwise Rani’s car whilst walking with family in Erdington, Birmingham on April 12 last year.

The teenager was thrown 85ft along Chester Road, a 40mph limit dual carriageway, by the Volkswagen Polo after its driver, 28-year-old Rani, undertook another vehicle. 

Rani drove off after the crash and only stopped after two other drivers followed her more than a mile from the scene. 

Birmingham Crown Court heard Rani – who was making an ‘unnecessary’ journey to see a friend during lockdown – undertook the Volkswagen Golf at between 60 and 70mph.

As the family started to cross the dual carriageway the lights were on green and Mason stopped to tie up his shoelace.

He then hurried to try to catch up with his mother, stepfather and 11-year-old sister. Rani swerved to her right to avoid Mason’s family but struck him.

The schoolboy was thrown on to the windscreen, shattering it, and flung forward about 85ft, suffering a catastrophic head injury.

Mason O'Grady, 13, (pictured) suffered catastrophic head injuries after he was hit by Mahwise Rani's car whilst walking with family in Erdington, Birmingham

Mason O’Grady, 13, (pictured) suffered catastrophic head injuries after he was hit by Mahwise Rani’s car whilst walking with family in Erdington, Birmingham

Deborah Gould, prosecuting, said there was no evidence of Rani braking and she drove off, pursued by two other motorists.

Rani was jailed for three years and banned from the roads for five-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court

Rani was jailed for three years and banned from the roads for five-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court

One flashed his lights and got right behind her bumper, but she only stopped when he pulled in front of her.

Miss Gould said: ‘Efforts were made by Mason’s mother to save his life. He was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he went into cardiac arrest.’

Rani, from Nottingham, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. She was jailed for three years and banned from the roads for five-and-a-half years.

In a statement Hayley O’Grady, Mason’s mother, said ‘Since that day my life has changed forever. My beautiful boy has been taken away from me. I will not have the opportunity to see him grow up as a man.’ 

Mason’s sister said: ‘He was a warm-hearted person who found good in everyone. He had everything going for him in his life. He had excellent grades.’

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Farrer QC told Rani: ‘You moved sharply to your right in order to give them room and in doing so you moved towards Mason.

‘Had you been driving at a safe speed and stayed in lane one the collision would not have occurred.

‘You drove away and you only stopped because you were pursued and brought to a halt by other motorists. They are to be commended.

In a statement Hayley O'Grady, Mason's mother, said 'Since that day my life has changed forever'. Pictured: Mason

In a statement Hayley O’Grady, Mason’s mother, said ‘Since that day my life has changed forever’. Pictured: Mason

Mason playing golf with his family. The 13-year-old was 'a warm-hearted person who found good in everyone', his sister said

Mason playing golf with his family. The 13-year-old was ‘a warm-hearted person who found good in everyone’, his sister said

‘This was an unnecessary journey in order to see a friend in the midst of the Covid pandemic. 

‘Mason was a bright 13-year-old boy who had the whole of his life ahead of him.’

The judge said it had been an aggravating feature that the boy’s family had witnessed the aftermath. 

Mason's brother, professional golfer Adam Bryant (left), paid tribute to the 'kind-hearted, smart and loving' boy

Mason’s brother, professional golfer Adam Bryant (left), paid tribute to the ‘kind-hearted, smart and loving’ boy

Mason's mother Hayley O'Grady, she told the court: 'My beautiful boy has been taken away from me. I will not have the opportunity to see him grow up as a man'

Mason’s mother Hayley O’Grady, she told the court: ‘My beautiful boy has been taken away from me. I will not have the opportunity to see him grow up as a man’

Tributes to Mason are left at the scene on Chester Road, Erdington, Birmingham

Tributes to Mason are left at the scene on Chester Road, Erdington, Birmingham

John O’Higgins, mitigating for Rani, said ‘She was driving a courtesy car. She had no reason to hurry. She drove too fast but cannot explain why. She should have slowed down.

‘She cannot explain her failure to stop other than shock or panic. She is devastated by what she has done. She is much loved by her friends and family for acts of kindness and generosity of spirit.’