An investigation into West Midlands Police's interactions with a man who killed a father in a 90mph collision will not be released until after his inquest. Hizar Hanif, a beloved dad from Birmingham, died when Mohammed Ali's Audi crashed into his BMW and other vehicles on Soho Road, Handsworth, on February 18, 2024.
Ali Sentenced to Seven Years
Mohammed Ali, 27, of Robert Road, Birchfield, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and assaulting an emergency worker. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and banned from driving for four and a half years at Birmingham Crown Court earlier this month. The court heard that Ali had suffered a relapse of a mental disorder, likely schizophrenia, before the collision.
IOPC Investigation
The Independent Office of Police Conduct revealed that Ali had been involved in several incidents at a health unit the day before the crash. West Midlands Police referred itself to the IOPC over how it handled calls from the facility on February 17, questioning whether opportunities were missed to prevent the tragedy. The IOPC completed its investigation in August 2024 but will not publish findings until the inquest into Mr. Hanif's death concludes.
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We investigated how police responded to calls reporting incidents at a health unit on February 17, 2024, involving Mohammed Ali, who the following day killed Hizar Hanif. All officers and staff were treated as witnesses. Our findings will be published at the conclusion of all connected proceedings, including the inquest, to avoid any risk of prejudice. Our sympathies remain with Mr. Hanif's family."
Tributes to a Devoted Father
Mr. Hanif, from Handsworth, was sitting with his best friend when the crash occurred. He was one of five sons and ran Checkpoint Tyres off Lichfield Road in Aston. In an emotional court statement, his wife Kiran Khanum said she lost her "soulmate" who was the "heart of our family." She added: "Our son didn't have enough time with daddy. He died on a cold, dirty road without loved ones. I'm angry I never got to say goodbye, angry we never got to grow old together. Our best days were stolen from us."
