Man was speeding before fatal crash, inquest hears

A man who crashed into a tree and died in hospital after his vehicle came to the attention of police was over the drink-drive limit and speeding at the time, an inquest has heard.

Muhammad Qasim, 29, died in hospital of "catastrophic head injuries" after the crash on Island Road, Handsworth, in the early hours of 2 October 2023.

An inquest into his death started on Wednesday and the jury were told it would be their role to consider the events leading up to the collision, including the police's involvement and how the two cars were driven.

The jury also heard that Mr Qasim was over the drink-drive limit and was not wearing a seatbelt.

Mr Qasim's family described him as a "kind-hearted and selfless man" and said they were devastated by his death.

"He was known for his quiet generosity, offering help without being asked, and showing care in the smallest of ways," they said in a statement that was read out to the court.

The inquest at Birmingham and Solihull Coroners' Court is due to last for eight days.

The court heard that officers in a marked Volvo had been returning to Park Lane police station after picking up a meal on their night shift.

The officers are due to give evidence on Thursday to explain why they began following the BMW.

Footage from a property 120m from the crash site showed both cars on the road travelling between 45.5mph and 47.8 mph in the moments immediately before the crash.

The conditions were said to be clear and dry and there were few cars on the road because it was late at night.

But Det Sgt Paul Hughes, the senior investigating officer, said Mr Qasim had failed to navigate a left-hand bend before losing control and mounting the central reservation.

His vehicle hit a tree, ejecting the driver 30 or 40m away onto the road, and causing him serious injuries, before striking another tree and coming to rest in the road.

Mr Qasim, who was insured and licensed, was one-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit and had cannabis in his system, the court heard.

But Mr Hughes said that, while this could have affected his driving, he could not say for sure why the crash had occurred.

Two other passengers in the vehicle survived the crash, with one walking away immediately afterwards and the other requiring first aid at the scene.

The inquest continues.

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