Reckless driver jailed for causing Kingsbury teen's death (From Harrow Times)

Reckless driver jailed for causing Kingsbury teen's death

2:44pm Friday 15th June 2012 in News By Anna Slater

A reckless driver who caused the death of a popular Kingsbury teenager when he crashed at high speeds was jailed for dangerous driving today.

Zeeshan Tahir, of Springfield Mount, was travelling in the passenger seat of Dharshen Panchali’s Volkwagen Golf when it careered into a Renault Megane at nearly 65mph in a 30mph zone.

The 18-year-old Hendon School student was killed instantly in the collision on March 16 last year.

Panchali, a friend of his victim, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and ordered to appear in court in September.

On the day he appeared to face the charges, he was caught by police before the hearing driving at 68mph in a 30mph zone.

The 19-year-old was again arrested and later disqualified from driving for just under two months.

At the hearing into the death of his teenage passenger at Wood Green Crown Court on April 13, a jury found Panchali unanimously guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

The student was sentenced to five years in prison and banned from driving for six years.

Detective Sergeant Pidgeon, of the Metropolitan Police Service’s road death investigation unit, said: "No sentence for this appalling driving that resulted in the death of an extremely popular young man will ever lessen the grief of Zeeshan's family.

"I just hope that the outcome of the hugely excessive speed involved will serve as a warning to others and prevent another tragic and easily avoidable loss of life."

Last year, friends and family paid tribute to the Hendon School student by leaving flowers, cards and teddy bears at the scene in Farrow House, Colindale.

One friend, Ahmed Mohamed, wrote a tribute card reading: “I lost a good friend. This was so sudden and you will be early missed. Rest in peace my Muslim brother.”