Rida Kazem had two previous speeding convictions

Rida Kazem (left) and Yagmur Ozden (right) who died in the crash

February 16, 2023

The man responsible for the death of a 33-year-old woman in a crash that took place in Park Royal last year had just resumed driving after completing a ban.

Yagmur Ozden died after the car 23-year-old Rida Kazem was driving at 110mph careered through two barriers and flipped over landing on tube tracks.

Kazem of Costons Avenue in Greenford managed a jewellery shop in Edgware owned by his father. He had two previous speeding offences most recently for when he was caught doing 95mph in 50mph road for which he received a disqualification. This driving ban ended in June 2022 just months prior to this fatal collision which took place on 22 August 2022.

Kazem was driving westbound A40 near to Park Royal Underground Station at 3:48am having offered to give two women a lift home from a night club nearby.

He drove onto the A40 and came to a set of traffic lights. When the lights turned green, he accelerated away at considerable speed, reaching approximately 110mph.

He underestimated the slight bend in the road, which caused the Range Rover Sport SVR he had recently purchased to collide with the kerb. The car has a 5-litre engine and a top speed of 176mph. One of its back wheels came away from the vehicle, while the car continued to roll at speed towards a Tesla car park.

The vehicle then smashed into a stationary Tesla, with the driver, a man aged in his fifties, sat inside. The vehicle then flipped over a wall at speed and finally come to rest on the railway tracks of Park Royal Tube Station.

The Range Rover flying over the barrier by the road. Picture: Teslacam

Yagmur, who had a 12-year-old daughter, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second passenger, 26-year-old Zamarod Arif, was injured but has since made a full recovery as has the driver of the Tesla.

Kazem was taken to hospital, where his injuries were originally assessed as critical. He refused to give a blood sample, after being requested to do so by police. He has since made a full recovery despite earlier concerns that his leg might need to be amputated.

Detectives from the Serious Collision investigation Unit pieced together the events around the crash reviewing extensive CCTV of the lead-up to the collision and the collision itself. A number of key witnesses also provided statements to police and crucial evidence was provided by forensic collision investigator which included a full data download of the vehicle’s on-board computer.

Faced with the weight of evidence against him, Kazem pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing injury by dangerous driving at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday 16 February. He is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 21 April.

DC Benjamin Simpson, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said, "This collision occurred at an incredibly high speed on a public road and the damage caused was extensive. I am grateful to all the support we have had from the parties who were involved in the collision and members of the public who assisted us.

"This case was truly horrific and I acknowledge the impact this has had on both the local community and the wider public. I would also like to thank the media for respecting Yagmur’s family’s privacy at this time and throughout the investigation.

"This was a difficult case and the police conducted an incredibly thorough and swift investigation which brought this offender to justice. The guilty pleas entered today by the defendant are a promising step forward in the way of justice. I hope that the sentence imposed by the court will be of comfort to all the victims of this collision and their loved ones moving forwards."