A hit-and-run incident on the night of July 30, 2020, marked the beginning of a tragic saga involving Kashif Khan, whose actions left the family of 59-year-old cyclist Andel Goulbourne grieving and searching for justice. Khan, behind the wheel of a borrowed BMW, was speeding on Washwood Heath Road in Saltley, Birmingham, when he struck Goulbourne, hurling him dangerously off his bike and resulting in his death.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Khan zooming past them, even overtaking another vehicle before weaving back onto the road where he collided with Goulbourne as he was turning onto Clayton Road. According to collision investigators, Khan was driving at speeds between 61 to 64 mph, more than double the 30 mph speed limit. The force of the impact was devastating; Goulbourne’s lifeless body was projected about 100 feet from the point of collision and rested 50 meters away.
Rather than attempting to aid Goulbourne, Khan made the swift decision to flee the scene. Within hours, he boarded a flight to Dubai, eventually relocating to Pakistan, where he seemingly led a normal life—marrying and having children, all the time as Goulbourne's family mourned their loss.
It wasn't until July 2024, almost four years later, when Khan attempted to return to the UK, only to be arrested at Birmingham Airport. Authorities had been on his trail since the crash, piecing together evidence, eventually identifying him through forensics left behind at the scene—specifically, DNA found on items he had left inside the stolen vehicle.
During the sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on September 19, 2024, Khan was handed down six years imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving, alongside being banned from driving for over 12 years. Judge Kerry Maylin addressed Khan directly, stating his actions were cowardly and underscored the genuine pain he inflicted on Goulbourne's loved ones.
Goulbourne's family, devastated by their loss, spoke out at the trial, articulately expressing the irreversible void his death created. Carol Gordon, Goulbourne's sister, recounted how the image of her brother's lifeless body haunted her. She described him as someone who had always just wanted to be close to his family. “On his 56th birthday, he told me all he wanted from life was to be around my family, and this wish was cruelly taken away from him,” she said. The grief echoed through the courtroom as Samantha Higgins, one of Goulbourne’s daughters, condemned Khan’s complete lack of remorse and selfishness when he fled the scene.
Throughout the court proceedings, Khan's defense attorney noted how his client had panicked post-collision and fled the country out of fear. Yet, Judge Maylin’s comments pointedly highlighted how Khan had lived freely and married, having kids, all the same time knowing he was involved in taking someone’s life. She emphasized, "You moved on with your life, married and had two children and lived freely in Pakistan." This raised questions about Khan’s accountability and the depth of his remorse.
Mr. Goulbourne had been remembered not just by his family, but also by his community, noted as a generous individual and mentor, often volunteering to help those less privileged. He left behind his family—three children and several grandchildren, all of whom now have grown up without their father and grandfather.
The crash highlighted systemic issues around dangerous driving and accountability on the roads, sparking conversations within the community about road safety and the emotional toll of hit-and-run incidents. Mr. Goulbourne's experience encapsulates the harrowing reality many families face after such incidents, waiting years for justice to be served.
Despite the painful ordeal, Goulbourne's family expressed hope for greater awareness and changes to improve road safety, underscoring the need for drivers to recognize the grave consequences of reckless driving. They hope Khan's case serves as a cautionary tale—emphasizing accountability and transparency for offenders and deterrent measures to prevent future tragedies.
