A teenager has today been jailed for five years after causing the death of his two friends by dangerous driving.
Zahid Ali, 18, of Richmond Hill Street, Accrington admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving last month.
He was sentenced on Tuesday at Burnley Crown Court and was also disqualified from driving for seven years and told he would have to take an extended driving test.
Ali's cousin Kaiser Hussain,16, and Sajid Khan, 19, who were from Accrington, died after a red BMW saloon being driven by Ali, collided with a wall and two parked cars on Marsden Road, Burnley at around 9pm on Thursday, March 10.
Kaiser was pronounced dead at the scene while Sajid died later at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Ali and a third passenger Wasif Ali, 20 and also from Accrington, were treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Sergeant Steve Wignall said: "This was an incredibly tragic incident which left two families completely devastated. I hope today’s result can go some way to allowing them to move forward with their lives.
"Ali’s reckless speeding that night resulted in the death of two young men who had their whole lives ahead of them and this is something Ali will have to live with this for the rest of his life.
"This case should serve as a strong warning to people not to drive in such an irresponsible manner. Lancashire Constabulary will not tolerate this type of behaviour on the county’s roads and we are determined to bring to justice those people who choose to drive in this way."
See this week's Accrington Observer for more on this story.
