Man in court following fatal car crash involving toddler

A man has faced court proceedings in connection with a car crash that claimed the life of a two-year-old boy last weekend. Sharjeel Shahzad, 30, of Cooksey Lane, Great Barr, was indicted on multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving. These charges relate to the collision that occurred on Saturday night in Dartmouth Road, Smethwick, close to Birmingham. Toddler Shehbaz Singh died after he and four other individuals were transported to hospital. Mr. Shahzad, represented by his solicitor, entered indications of not guilty pleas during his appearance before District Judge John Bristow at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He is accused of operating a Porsche Cayenne fitted with false number-plates when it was involved in a head-on collision with a Toyota Auris. The Toyota Auris was transporting Shehbaz and the four adults, and the incident took place just before 23:00 GMT. Police reported that a 29-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man were still in a serious condition in hospital. Mr. Shahzad faces charges for causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, operating the Porsche with false registration plates, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and failing to stop following a collision. The judge informed him: “You are charged with a number of offences.” The most grave of these offences is an allegation of causing death by dangerous driving. He stated that the offence was of such gravity that it could only be heard at a crown court. Mr. Shahzad’s next court appearance is scheduled for 15 January at Birmingham Crown Court.