Man jailed after mum-to-be loses baby in hit and run in Stourbridge

A man whose dangerous driving in Stourbridge caused a woman to lose her baby has been jailed.

Aqeel Ahmed, of Shepherds Brook Road, Stourbridge, was jailed yesterday (July 11) for the offence, which occurred on the afternoon of June 27, 2022. The 20-year-old lost control of the BMW 1 series he was driving on Junction Road, Stourbridge, mounting the pavement and hitting an 18-year-old woman who was out walking her dog with her brother.

Ahmed, who was disqualified from driving and uninsured at the time, initially got out of the vehicle to speak with the victim’s brother but then he ran off from the scene before police arrived.

West Midlands Police officers quickly traced the vehicle, which was insured to Ahmed’s mother, and he was arrested later that day.

His victim suffered several injuries after being hit, including a headwound which was considered potentially life-threatening at the time. She was also 20 weeks pregnant but sadly lost her baby as a result of the collision. Over a year later, she is still working through the process of recovering from the crash.

Ahmed initially denied he was the driver but police linked him to the offence following a thorough review of CCTV footage and witness testimony resulting in a positive identification. He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by disqualified driving.

Ahmed was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He received three and a half years in prison for the dangerous driving charge and two years for the disqualified driving offence. Both sentences will run concurrently. He was also banned from driving for 42 months.

DC Chris Ridge from the Central Motorway Policing Group, said: “Aqeel Ahmed’s irresponsible behaviour that day resulted in a woman being seriously injured and the tragic loss of the baby she was carrying. She has suffered both physical and emotional trauma but has shown tremendous resilience as she has attempted to move on with her life. She has a loving family behind her and I’m grateful for the support they gave us throughout our investigation.

“Ahmed shouldn’t even have been on the road that day as he selfishly chose to ignore the driving ban he was serving but he’s going to prison now and I hope he takes the time there to reflect on his actions.”

We are urging all motorists to prioritise road safety, obey speed limits, and remain vigilant while driving. Your actions can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and protecting lives.

We appreciate the support and cooperation of our communities in reporting any instances of dangerous driving. Your valuable information helps us take appropriate action and prevent potential harm.