The heartbreaking reality faced by a mother whose son was killed by a reckless driver has been laid bare in an emotional court statement that every irresponsible motorist should read. Balbiro Kaur Sandhu has spoken of the "unbearable" silence that now fills her home after her 21-year-old son Ryan was killed in a catastrophic collision on Birmingham's Aston Expressway.
A Life Cut Short by Reckless Behaviour
Ryan Sandhu, a Staffordshire University student described as "the baby of the family" and his parents' "biggest purpose", suffered fatal head injuries when his Ford Fiesta was struck by an Audi SQ7 travelling at 91mph - more than double the 40mph speed limit in force at the time. The collision occurred shortly after midnight on June 2, 2024, ending a young life full of promise and leaving a family shattered.
The Night That Changed Everything
Mrs Sandhu recalled the moment that plunged her family into unimaginable grief when police officers knocked on their door at 2am. "This was the start of our never-ending nightmares," she stated. "The thought of having a funeral for our 21-year-old son terrified us. He should be planning our funerals. We have lived a full life."
The driver responsible, 28-year-old Saqlane Zafar from Saltley, had rented the high-powered Audi specifically to "put it through its paces" and "race the clock" after consuming vodka and inhaling nitrous oxide. Court proceedings revealed he had weaved through crawling traffic, used closed lanes, and had two near-misses before ploughing into Ryan's car at devastating speed.
Compounding the Family's Trauma
While Zafar eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, the family's anguish was intensified by the actions of his friend Muhammad Hamza. The 29-year-old from Sparkbrook drove Zafar away from the scene, forcing police into a dangerous high-speed pursuit that ended when he crashed into a lamppost. Hamza denied wrongdoing but was convicted of dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.
The Unbearable Aftermath
Mrs Sandhu described how the tragedy has fundamentally altered every aspect of family life. "We now find it hard, almost impossible, to attend social events or family occasions because his absence is so powerful," she explained. "Every event feels incomplete without him. They hold no meaning or joy."
The mother spoke movingly about the contrast between Ryan's vibrant personality and the chilling reality of his death. She recalled his body being brought home before the funeral, describing how "pale and cold" he was - "so far from the warmth and massive personality we knew and loved."
A Family Forever Changed
The psychological toll has been devastating. Mrs Sandhu revealed she experiences recurring nightmares about Ryan's death and her inability to "get to him in time to save him", waking in hysterical tears. She has given up charity work because her grief is too overwhelming, and finds that religion "no longer makes sense" to her.
"This tragedy has taken away not only our son but our purpose, our health and happiness," Mrs Sandhu stated. "Our lives will never be the same because of the actions of the two individuals that night. Nothing will ever replace our son."
Justice Served but No Comfort
At Birmingham Crown Court last week, Zafar was jailed for 15 years and banned from driving for the same period. Hamza received a sentence of four years and six months imprisonment, along with a driving ban of five years and three months.
Yet for Ryan's family, no legal outcome can provide genuine solace. "There is nothing in the world we wouldn't do for another smile, another hug or to hear Ryan's voice one more time," Mrs Sandhu said. "We now live for the day when we will be reunited with him."
The case serves as a stark warning about the catastrophic consequences of reckless driving, with one family's unbearable loss highlighting why every motorist must consider their responsibility on the roads.
