Speeding driver admits killing pedestrian on pavement
Police ScotlandA speeding driver has admitted killing a student as she waited to cross the road.
Akbar Razaq struck Chinenye Okonkwo when he mounted the pavement while travelling at 60mph in a 30mph zone in Glasgow city centre.
Ms Okonkwo, 33, from Nigeria, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lord Mulholland told the High Court in Glasgow her death on 2 February 2023 was an "utter tragedy".
Razaq, 29, was remanded in custody after he admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
He will be sentenced in May.
Ms Okonkwo moved to Scotland to study public health at Glasgow Caledonian University in January 2022.
She also worked part-time as a care home nurse in the city's east end and was on her way to work the night she was killed.
Her family paid tribute to her as a "wonderful, kind, intelligent young woman with a strong faith in God."
On Monday they followed proceedings via videolink.
The court heard Razaq's Audi A4 was hit by a Ford Fiesta seconds before it mounted the pavement and struck a traffic light post.
Ms Okonkwo, who was standing at the junction of Newton Street and St Vincent Street, was then struck by both the car and the pole.
Razaq got out to "remonstrate" with the other driver.
It was only then that a passenger in his Audi spotted Ms Okonkwo under the vehicle.
'She had huge potential'
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said Ms Okonkwo received "extensive advanced life support" at the scene but she could not be saved.
Crash investigators concluded the collision was caused by "negligence on the part of both drivers".
Mr Prentice added: "Despite different degrees of responsibility, it is also their opinion that the blame for the death is attributed to the driver of the Audi due to his dangerous manner of driving at excessive speed.
"This resulted in him being unable to avoid a collision.
"Had he driven within permitted speed limits, it is unlikely the collision would have occurred."
The investigators added the Ford driver had not performed "final safety checks" before carrying out the turn.
The court heard she was initially charged but no longer faced prosecution.
John Scullion KC, defending, said Razaq, of the city's Kinning Park, wanted to apologise for what happened and had shown "deep regret and remorse".
Lord Mulholland deferred sentencing for reports.
Addressing Ms Okonkwo's family, the judge said: "I have read the victim impact statement and it is clear she was a much-loved sister and daughter.
"She had huge potential and was working hard to fund herself through university.
"From what I have read, she was a very talented and hard-working woman.
"It is an utter tragedy for you. You have my deepest sympathies."