Driver admits killing two men in Accrington horror crash after jumping red light

Rafique Khan, who left 11 children, and father-of-three Aurang Zeb Khan, suffered fatal injuries when a Mercedes driven by Dudley Reilly collided with their car in Accrington.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to to charges of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared via videolink at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

It was revealed in court the defendant had jumped a red light moments before the crash, which happened at the junction of Hyndburn Road and Oxford Street and also left three others seriously injured.

Following the pleas, Coun Munsif Dad, a friend of both the dead men’s families, said they were still struggling to come to terms with their loss.

He added that it would be a relief that Reilly had admitted the charges and he would be sentenced accordingly.

Nicola Gatto, for Reilly, said her client, of Floyd Road, Ribbleton, admitted he had been driving dangerously.

She told the court: “He left a caravan site and went to a nearby public house and had a drink.

“He then became the driver of the vehicle. We know he went through a red light that had been on red for eight seconds.

“Whether or not this was a prolonged piece of dangerous driving is a relevant issue. The defendant describes the route he took, but it may be of interest to the sentencing judge how long he was on the road for.”