‘My world collapsed in one second’: Dad’s heartbreaking tribute to mum and daughter killed in Leeds crash

A heartbroken dad who lost his four-year-old daughter and fiancée in a Leeds horror crash said his “world collapsed in one second”, after a second man was found guilty of their deaths.

Justyna Hulboj, 27, and her daughter Lena Czepczor were struck by a high-powered Audi TT RS at around 8.30am on January 16, 2023.

Today, a jury found that car salesman Jasskamal Riyat was racing against Hardeep Bhachu, who lost control and ploughed into the pair as they walked along Scott Hall Road on their way to nursery.

Bhachu, 29, accepted causing their deaths and remains on remand awaiting sentence.

Riyat, 37, denied responsibility, despite dashcam footage clearly showing he and Bhachu, who did not know each other, competing against each other at high speeds.

The jury at Leeds Crown Court returned a unanimous verdict, convicting Riyat of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Justyna’s fiance and Lena’s dad said the “nightmare” of their deaths will last for the rest of his life.

In a statement, he said: “Before January 16, 2023, my life was a fulfilment of my deepest dreams, I had everything that was most important in life. I had a good job, a wonderful fiancée, Justyna and a wonderful daughter, Lena.

“Unfortunately, on the morning of January 16, when I said goodbye to my family with the words “I love you”, I didn't know that it would be the last time I saw them.

“When I was informed about their deaths, my whole world collapsed in one second.

“Every day I feel a huge void after their departure, and I imagine what it would be like if they were still alive. We had so many plans and dreams and in one moment it all ended.

“I know that I will have to live with the burden of losing the two most important people in my life for the rest of my life.

“I would like to live normally again without all this, but I know that it is no longer possible, no one will bring back the lives of my fiancée and my daughter. This nightmare will last for the rest of my life.

“My dream was to have a wonderful family, and I must say that it came true for a short while, but that was taken away from me on the 16th of January.

“Unfortunately, all that remains are wonderful memories and a constant fight for the next day, which is not easy.”

Bhachu had been travelling at almost 90mph on the 40mph road when he hit a kerb and lost control, killing the mum and daughter.

Riyat, of Buckstone Avenue, Moortown, continued to film the crashed car as he passed by and left the scene, continuing on his way to work. He failed to contact the emergency services and was later arrested.

Bhachu, of Grant Row, Adel, later admitted guilt and asked to be remanded into custody to “take responsibility” and “begin serving the inevitable sentence”.

The pair may now be sentenced together.

Detective Inspector Paul Conroy, of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “This was an absolutely horrifying collision that I know even shocked experienced collision investigators. An innocent mother and daughter who were simply making their way to school never made it there and tragically never made it home because of the selfish, reckless actions of these two men.

“Bhachu and Riyat didn’t know each other. They were two men showing off their fast cars on a busy dual carriageway.”

Police have released a video which shows the moments leading up to the crash, where the pair were heard congratulating each other on the power of their cars before driving away at speed.

Det Insp Conroy added: “It is upsetting to watch but I hope that it might make people think about their own driving and encourage conversations with friends and family. Ultimately, Bhachu thought he could drive at those speeds in his high-powered car, but he couldn’t, and his loss of control took two lives and ruined many more.

“Riyat witnessed this collision but instead of stopping to check if those involved were okay, he left the scene. He denied his involvement but was convicted thanks to the extensive footage showing his speeding vehicle in the moments leading up to the collision.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who came forward to provide dashcam and CCTV footage which helped us to demonstrate the dangerous nature of both Bhachu and Riyat’s driving that morning.”