A woman has been jailed for causing the death of another woman and seriously injuring a man in a collision in Armley.
Romeesa Ahmed, aged 27, was sentenced to nine years at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday) for the collision, which occurred on Stanningley Road at its junction with Cockshott Lane on 22 February 2023.
She was also given an 11-year driving ban and will need to pass a further test before she can obtain a driving licence again.
Ahmed, of Princeville Street in Bradford, was driving a Volkswagen Golf along the road towards Bradford at about 8.30am, when she hit mature student Athira Anilkumar Laly Kumari and a bus stop.
Athira, who was 28, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 40-year-old man who was waiting at the bus stop suffered serious injuries which required an extensive stay in hospital.
A police investigation found that Ahmed had been travelling 20mph over the 40mph speed limit and using her mobile phone at the time of the collision.
She was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Paying tribute to Athira, her family said: “She was not just a member of our family – she was our foundation, the glue that held us all together. A loving daughter, a devoted wife, a doting mother and a source of light and inspiration to everyone who knew her.
“Athira was the heart of our lives. Her absence has left a void so deep, so profound, that even words fail to convey the magnitude of our grief.”
Speaking after Ahmed had been sentenced, Detective Constable Adele Murphy-Hartley, said: “Speeding and using a mobile phone while driving are considered as two of the most common contributory factors to serious injury and fatal road traffic collisions, and this should be a warning to all of what can happen when these factors come into play.
“Ahmed’s recklessness has resulted in the loss of a determined woman who came to England to better herself and secure a bright future for her and her family.
“Athira made the difficult decision to leave her young daughter in the care of family in order to do so, and now her young daughter will have to grow up not knowing her mother. Her husband has been widowed and her parents have been left to deal with the death of their much-loved daughter.
“Ahmed’s actions have also resulted in the life of one man being changed forever, both physically and mentally.
“I hope she uses her time in custody to reflect on the totality of her actions and the pain and suffering she has caused.”
The incident was first reported by WLD on 22 February 2023. It led to calls at the time for an urgent review of the road junction.