Driver Jailed For Almost 10 Years After Passenger Killed In 129mph A23 Crash

A man has been sentenced to nine years and six months in prison following a fatal high-speed collision on the A23 near Warninglid in West Sussex.

The court heard that on 10 August 2024, just after 10pm, 27-year-old Arafath Ahmed was driving a silver Audi southbound with passengers at excessive speeds, reaching up to 129mph.

As the vehicle approached a bend in the road, Ahmed lost control.

The car left the carriageway, collided with a lamp post and came to rest on a verge.

During the crash, rear-seat passenger Mohammed Morshed was thrown from the vehicle and became trapped beneath the wreckage.

Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died from his injuries shortly afterwards.

Officers later recovered nitrous oxide canisters and balloons from the car. One balloon was found to contain traces of Ahmed’s DNA.

A forensic examination of the scene and vehicle data showed the car was travelling at almost 130mph just seconds before the collision.

Ahmed, of Croydon Road in Plaistow, London, was arrested at the scene and later released under investigation while enquiries continued.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in December 2025 and appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court in January 2026. He later pleaded guilty in April and was bailed ahead of sentencing.

At Hove Crown Court on Monday 29 June, Ahmed was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison and disqualified from driving for 12 years and 10 months.

Judge Gold KC said Ahmed had been driving on a spontaneous trip from London to Brighton with friends, and had covered many miles at excessive speeds, rarely dropping below 89mph.

He described how the vehicle was travelling at “eye-watering” speeds shortly before the crash and said Mr Morshed was thrown from the car on impact.

The judge also noted evidence of alcohol and drug-related paraphernalia, including nitrous oxide canisters found in the vehicle.

Serious Collision Investigator Francesca Walton said the sentence follows a “long and thorough investigation” into the crash.

She said Ahmed had shown a “complete disregard” for the safety of passengers and other road users, adding that officers’ thoughts remain with Mohammed Morshed’s family.

She also thanked witnesses who came forward, saying their information proved “vital” to the investigation.