Wandsworth Covid scientist jailed for killing talented musician, 32, while speeding to a nightclub

A scientist from Wandsworth who killed a pedestrian while speeding to a nightclub has been jailed.

Ibnu Rizwan, 28, was on a night out in Clapham on August 8, 2021, when after midnight, he began to drive himself and five others to a nightclub in Shoreditch.

At 12.51am, at the wheel of a VW Polo hired from Zipcar on the Minories, EC3N, Rizwan attempted to drive through an amber traffic light before it turned red and accelerated.

The car, overloaded with passengers, was travelling at more than 30mph in a 20mph zone when David Joseph Evans, 32, came into its path while crossing the road.

This left Rizwan, who may have been over the drink drive limit, with just 1.28 seconds to brake, the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Evans, who had been watching a rugby match with a friend on the night of the crash, suffered brain injuries and was declared dead on August 12 after five days in a coma.

Rizwan, of Brightwell Crescent, Wandsworth, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on December 6, 2022.

The epidemiologist who was part of Public Health England's Covid-19 response team, was sentenced at the Old Bailey this week to two years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for four years.

Judge Nigel Lickley KC said: "Alcohol consumption did, to an extent affect your driving, awareness, and decision-making.

"You should have stopped at that light. If you had, the collision wouldn't have occurred."

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Bishop, from the City of London Police's Major Crime Team, said: "Rizwan drove over the 20 miles per hour speed limit to try and avoid having to stop at a red light with horrific consequences. He had no consideration for his surroundings, pedestrians and other drivers.

"This case demonstrates the devastating effects that not adhering to speed limits can have, and shows the importance of driving responsibly.

"Our thoughts remain with the victim's family and friends at this difficult time."