Driver whose car struck and killed four-year-old Leeds boy embraces his mother at inquest

A WOMAN who was driving a car which struck and killed a four year-old boy in Leeds embraced the youngster's grieving mother amid emotional scenes at an inquest into his death.
Four-year-old Yusuf Jatta, who died after a collision with a car on Chapeltown Road, in Leeds.  Photo : West Yorkshire Police/PA WireFour-year-old Yusuf Jatta, who died after a collision with a car on Chapeltown Road, in Leeds.  Photo : West Yorkshire Police/PA Wire
Four-year-old Yusuf Jatta, who died after a collision with a car on Chapeltown Road, in Leeds. Photo : West Yorkshire Police/PA Wire

Yusuf Jatta, of Chapeltown, suffered multiple fatal injuries when he was hit by a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Naza Ali outside the Reginald Centre on Chapeltown Road, Chapeltown, Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard.

The inquest heard Yusuf had been waiting at a pelican crossing with his mother Fatou Bojang and other family members when he ran into the road.

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The group had been stood on a pedestrian refuge in the central reservation on Chapeltown Road at the junction with Reginald Terrace.

Corsa driver Naza Ali would only have had a second to react before the collision just before 5pm on Saturday April 29, the inquest was told.

Naza Ali told Yusuf’s parents in court that she is a mother-of-four, adding: “I’m really sorry.”

Yusuf’s father Lamin Jatta told her: “We forgive you and do not hold any grudges against you or your family.”

Naza Ali then embraced Yusuf’s mother as both women wept.

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Fatou Bojang wrote in a statement read to the inquest: “He was a lovely son and loving brother to his brothers and sisters...we all miss him greatly.”

Police collision investigator Martin Ward said CCTV footage from a shop, a bus and an NHS centre, indicated Yusuf had run into the road and that the car was travelling at 27mph in a 30mph zone.

Mr Ward said the fact no-one else had left the pedestrian refuge led him to believe the lights were on green for vehicles.

Mr Ward said: “As the vehicle approached, the child entered the road into the path of the vehicle. The vehicle has struck the child approximately one second after.”

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Recording a verdict that Yusuf died in a road traffic collision, senior coroner David Hinchliff, said: “According to CCTV evidence there was a second, that wouldn’t have given an opportunity to stop.”

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