Five years after a devastating pre-Christmas crash claimed the lives of a young Birmingham couple, a heartbroken mother has issued a powerful plea for road safety.
A Life-Changing Night
Meesha Afzal, 22, and Kyle Khan, 26, from Sparkhill, were killed in the early hours of December 13, 2020. The couple, described as inseparable soulmates, were back-seat passengers in a Mercedes A200 when it collided with a wall on Warwick Road, Solihull, near the M42 junction. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Kyle's mother, Roshni Sajida Yousaf, said the loss has left a permanent void. "It's five years and not a day passes without the news Aleah (Kyle's sister) and I received - losing our soulmates Kyle and Meesha," she told BirminghamLive. "It feels like yesterday. Nothing feels real anymore."
A Family's Enduring Grief and a Driver's Sentence
Roshni poignantly described the silence that has replaced the joy in her home. "There is nothing but silence in my house," she said. "Gone are the hugs and kisses on a daily basis from all four of us." She remembered her son as a compassionate man raised by a single mother, and Meesha as a supportive daughter-in-law and a "rock."
The couple's friend, Eidnun Liaquat, 30, from Northfield, was sentenced in April 2023 after admitting two charges of causing death by careless driving. He received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, was banned from driving for three years, and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs.
A Mother's Christmas Safety Warning
While battling her own serious health problems, Roshni is determined to prevent other families from suffering similar tragedy. She emphasised that Meesha and Kyle were wearing seatbelts, but their deaths highlight the critical importance of road safety.
"You must wear seatbelts and make sure the people you carry wear seatbelts too," she urged. "It is very important you remember speed kills or if you drive intoxicated on any illicit substances. The majority of accidents are caused by people who are intoxicated and driving will put lives at risk including your own."
In a direct Christmas message to all road users, she added: "Please drive carefully, stay safe and wear your seatbelts."
Legacy of Love and a Planned Charity
To honour the couple's generous spirits, Roshni aims to establish a charity foundation in their memory. She explained that both Kyle and Meesha were actively planning community projects before their deaths, including supporting young people and feeding the homeless in Birmingham city centre.
"This would be to help others who are struggling with any aspect of their lives whether it's grief, mental health or physical health or just a shoulder to cry on," Roshni said of the proposed foundation. The couple are laid to rest together at Kings Norton Cemetery.
Roshni also paid tribute to her daughter Aleah's strength, who has learned to drive, attended university, and worked while coping with the immense loss of her brother and sister-in-law.
