Mahwise Rani, 28, of Osborne Street, Nottingham, failed to stop after she struck Mason O’Grady, 13
A hit-and-run motorist who killed a 13-year-old boy on a pelican crossing and drove off has been jailed for three years, after being stopped by two other drivers who pursued her a mile from the scene.
Mason O’Grady, 13, suffered catastrophic head injuries after he was hit by Mahwise Rani’s car whilst walking with family in Erdington, Birmingham, during the first covid lockdown last year on Easter Sunday, April 12.
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.
Birmingham Crown Court heard Rani – who was making an ‘unnecessary’ journey to see a friend – undertook the Volkswagen Golf while going an estimated 60 to 70mph.
As the family started to cross the dual carriageway the lights were on green and Mason stopped to tie up his shoe.
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
Deborah Gould, prosecuting, said there was no evidence of Rani breaking and she drove off pursued by two motorists.
One flashed his lights and got right behind her bumper and she only stopped after he got in front of her.
Miss Gould said: ‘Efforts were made by his mother to save his life. He was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he went into cardiac arrest.’
Rani was jailed for three years and banned from the roads for five-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court
Rani of Osborne Street, 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 (the family) 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.
‘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
Tributes to Mason are left at the scene on Chester Road, Erdington, Birmingham
John O’Higgins, defending, said ‘She was driving home to Nottingham from Birmingham.
‘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.’