Van driver was checking emails minutes before he killed 'loving' grandad in crash
Qabir Hussain, 54, had been using his mobile phone to check his emails just moments before he hit 85-year-old David Brooke as he crossed a road - killing the beloved grandad
A man who ran over and killed an 85-year-old grandad while checking emails on his mobile phone has been jailed.
Qabir Hussain, 54, had been using the device just moments before his van crashed into David Brooke as he crossed a road in Wakefield in January 2022, West Yorkshire Police said. Hussain was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at Leeds Crown Court and was jailed for five years.
Mr Brooke's devastated granddaughter described him as the "most loving man," whose death has "broken" his wife - and will live with the family forever. In a statement, she said: "The day you took him away from me and my family will live with me forever."
"You took the kindest, funniest, most loving man, everyone loved him. He enjoyed life and his family - most of all his wife, my grandma; you have broken her."
She added: "I miss his voice and hearing his stories, his smile and the way he said he loved me. All I have now is memories of my grandad."
After the crash, police carried out an analysis on Hussain's phone which showed it had been unlocked while he was driving, and used to access both his emails and a web browser.
DS Nina Roper from the Major Collision Enquiry Team said the tragic case "highlights the heartbreaking consequences" from failing concentration at the wheel.
She added that the offence is one of the "Fatal Five", saying: "This case highlights the heartbreaking consequences that can come from a lapse of concentration at the wheel.
"Using a phone while driving is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ offences, which are the top contributory factors in serious and fatal collisions. No email, message, phone call or notification is more important than somebody else’s life. If you really need to use your phone, pull over in a safe place.
"We are determined to continue educating road users as part of our Vision Zero ambitions to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads. If you are tempted to reach for your phone whilst driving, please think of David and his family."
According to the police, on top of using a phone while driving, the "Fatal Five" offences include speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and careless driving.