Drug driver who killed friend in crash jailed

Preston Crown Court heard Waqas initially pleaded not guilty before changing his pleas

A man who killed his friend in a "reckless" motorway crash after taking cocaine and cannabis has been jailed.

Irslaan Nowkhaiz was a passenger in an Audi on the M65 at Brierfield, Lancashire, when it hit standing water, aquaplaned and hit a tree in September 2021.

Driver Mohammed Waqas, of Nelson, was also nine times over the legal limit for benzoylecgonine, Lancashire Police said.

The 33-year-old was jailed for four years and three months for causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed drug limit, and causing death by driving while uninsured.

'Tragic night'

Waqas also should not have been driving due to a pre-existing medical condition, the force said.

Preston Crown Court heard Waqas initially pleaded not guilty before changing his pleas.

Lancashire Police said it was raining heavily, Waqas was driving at around 80mph (129km/h), and both men were not wearing seatbelts before the crash at about 01:23 BST on 29 September 2021.

Mr Nowkhaiz suffered serious head injuries and died from the impact, police said.

PC Kate Brady said: “As a result of Waqas's reckless behaviour, his friend lost his life on that tragic night.

"We take offences of this nature extremely seriously, and hope that this jail sentence will deter others from committing such terrible offences.”