Fugitive driver who mowed down dad

Rashid Ali, a 30-year-old driver, was convicted in absentia for causing the death of 29-year-old Jack Patrick Ryan by dangerous driving. The incident occurred on January 13, 2021, near Battersea Bridge in London, where Ali was speeding at nearly double the 20mph limit when he struck Ryan, a jogger. Despite the traffic lights changing to amber, Ali failed to stop, resulting in catastrophic injuries to Ryan, who died at the scene. Ali fled to Pakistan to avoid facing justice and did not attend his trial at the Old Bailey. He was sentenced to five years in prison and a five-and-a-half-year driving ban, a decision that Jack's family deemed inadequate and insulting. They expressed their grief and frustration over Ali's absence during the trial and sentencing, highlighting the emotional toll of losing a loved one to reckless driving. During the trial, Ali claimed that Ryan had run into the road unexpectedly, but prosecutors argued that he had ample time to stop safely. The court emphasized that Ali's actions were in violation of the Highway Code, which mandates stopping at an amber light. The victim's family, including his parents and partner, condemned Ali's actions as cowardly and expressed their gratitude for the support they received from the community. They called for greater accountability for dangerous driving incidents, reflecting the broader impact of such tragedies on families and society.