A speeding driver who reached speeds of more than 100mph on the M20 before causing a fatal crash that killed two women has been jailed.
Bilal Tahir, 29, from South Gipsy Road in Welling, was driving a black BMW X5 at more than 100mph on the M20 near West Kingsdown when he lost control and caused a crash that killed two women and seriously injured a third person.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday, June 5, after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The crash happened on October 17, 2022, during heavy rain that had left standing water on the motorway.
Dr Habiba Hajallie was driving to work on the coastbound carriageway between Junctions 1 and 2 when her car aquaplaned, causing her to lose control and come to a stop on the hard shoulder, facing the wrong direction.
Lisa Webber and Mark Heap, who were travelling in separate vehicles, stopped to help Dr Hajallie.
All three were standing on the hard shoulder when Tahir’s car crashed into them.
Dr Hajallie and Ms Webber were pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Heap sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
Tahir passed initial roadside tests for intoxication and impairment.
He later told police during a voluntary interview at Ashford Police Station that he had been driving with "due care and attention" and denied speeding.
However, investigators from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit used vehicle and mobile phone data to prove he had been speeding throughout his journey, reaching more than 100mph within a mile of the incident.
Five seconds before the crash, he was travelling at 98mph when he is believed to have hit standing water and lost control.
Detective Constable Jim Galbraith, the investigating officer, said: "The deaths of Dr Habiba Hajallie and Lisa Webber, and the significant injuries caused to Mark Heap are a tragedy caused by the actions of one dangerous driver.
"Bilal Tahir was speeding recklessly that morning in appalling weather conditions where visibility was poor and rain was pooling on the carriageway.
"He failed to recognise the significant risk he posed to other road users and has devastated multiple lives as a result.
"He wouldn’t accept responsibility for his actions until the weight of evidence against him led him to enter a guilty plea.
"Speeding risks causing death or serious injury and poor weather conditions increases this threat significantly.
"Kent Police has a zero tolerance policy for those who choose to break the speed limit and our officers will continue to crack down on drivers who endanger other road users."
Tahir was also disqualified from driving for 16 years.
The investigation marked the first time GPS data was used in a Kent court for a collision case.
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