Arafath Ahmed, 27, from Plaistow, East London, has been sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for causing the death of his friend Mohammed Morshed in a high-speed crash on the A23 in Sussex.
Fatal crash on August 10, 2024
At 10pm on August 10, 2024, Ahmed was driving a silver Audi with three friends on a spontaneous trip from London to Brighton. He lost control of the vehicle at a bend while driving at 130mph, crashing into a lamppost. Mohammed Morshed, a rear-seat passenger, was thrown from the car and trapped under the wreckage. He died at the scene despite emergency crews' efforts.
Police found nitrous oxide canisters in the car, and a balloon in the driver's footwell tested positive for Ahmed's DNA. He was arrested at the scene and later released under investigation.
Charges and sentencing
On December 1, 2025, Ahmed was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates' Court on April 15, 2026, and was bailed pending sentencing. On June 29, 2026, at Hove Crown Court, Judge Gold KC sentenced him to nine years and six months in prison and disqualified him from driving for 12 years and 10 months.
In sentencing, Judge Gold KC stated: "You were driving with three friends on a spontaneous trip from London to Brighton. One of your passengers was Mohammed Morshed, and you were driving at grossly excessive speeds on the evening of 10 August. You had driven for many miles at speeds in excess of the speed limit, rarely dropping below 89 mph. You were driving at an eye watering 129mph four seconds before the collision. At the point of the collision, Mr Morshed was thrown from the machine. You had been drinking and smoking, although you were not over the limit, there were also nitrous oxide cannisters in the car, and a balloon found in the driver's footwell with your DNA."
Police statement
Serious Collision Investigator Francesca Walton of Sussex Police said: "Following a long and thorough investigation into the collision that claimed Mohammed's life on 10 August 2024, we have now seen the driver responsible sentenced to time behind bars. Ahmed was found to have driven at speeds of almost double the speed limit, showing a complete disregard for the safety of both his passengers and other road users. Our thoughts remain with Mohammed's family as this case comes to a close, and we hope they can continue on their journey of healing. I would also like to thank the witnesses who came forward and provided vital information, which proved invaluable to our investigation."
