Two brothers accused of causing a fatal crash by dangerous driving left the scene and drove to a Tesco supermarket, a court has heard. Umar Yusaf, 35, and Abubakr Yusaf, 31, both deny causing the death of Rhys Jenkins, a 41-year-old rugby referee, in a collision on the A483 near Welshpool on November 16, 2024.
Crash Details
Mr. Jenkins was travelling with his nine-year-old son Ioan when his vehicle was involved in the crash. The father-of-three died at the scene, while his son suffered serious injuries. The defendants, both optometrists from Manchester, were driving a BMW and an Audi respectively.
Prosecutors allege that the brothers were racing or driving in convoy during the 150-mile journey from Aberystwyth to Manchester. However, Umar Yusaf told Mold Crown Court on Monday that he was not racing at any point. He claimed he did not plan to drive with his brother in any sort of convoy and they were not tracking each other.
Defendant's Testimony
Umar Yusaf said he believed there was some sort of contaminant, possibly mud, on the road. He insisted that every overtaking manoeuvre he performed was safe. When asked by his barrister, Sean Minihan, if he drove dangerously or carelessly that night, Umar Yusaf replied: "No." He also denied intending to encourage his brother to drive dangerously, stating: "That wouldn't have been possible because I didn't know where he was on the journey."
Describing the aftermath of the crash, Umar Yusaf became emotional. He said the passenger in Mr. Jenkins' car was unconscious, so he placed Ioan on the grass verge and asked a bystander for a blanket. He then returned to his brother's crashed BMW, finding Abubakr Yusaf confused and sitting in the passenger seat of the Audi. Umar Yusaf left the scene with his brother and drove to Tesco in Welshpool.
Failure to Call Emergency Services
When questioned about why he did not call emergency services, Umar Yusaf said he was in "autopilot mode" and not thinking straight after witnessing the serious collision and seeing his brother. He claimed he later tried to drive back to the scene.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor David Mainstone, Umar Yusaf denied lying to the jury. He rejected suggestions that he knew his brother was ahead of him when they left Aberystwyth and that he was speeding to catch up. He said he was making a "normal" journey home from work and wanted to make steady progress. When asked about his speed at the time of the crash, he replied: "I don't know."
Mr. Mainstone suggested that in a "brief moment of madness" Umar Yusaf thought he could get away with driving away from the crash. The defendant replied: "No." He insisted: "There was nothing we were trying to hide. I wasn't any part of the collision."
Character References
Earlier in the trial, character references for Abubakr Yusaf were read to the jury. He was described as a respected man of integrity, involved in charitable and community projects, and known as considerate and kind.
Both brothers deny charges of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and Abubakr Yusaf also faces a charge of driving without insurance. The trial continues.
