Van Driver Pleads Guilty to Causing Death of Three-Year-Old Girl After Cocaine Use

Rawal Rehman, 35, of Lambton Road, Manchester, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the tragic death of three-year-old Louisa Palmisano, affectionately known as ‘Lulu’, who was struck and killed while walking with her parents on Mosely Street in Manchester’s Rusholme area on February 22nd. The incident occurred during a family visit from Burnley, Lancashire. Authorities have revealed that Rehman consumed an estimated twenty lines of cocaine over approximately seven hours leading up to the collision. Evidence presented by the prosecution indicates he was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van at the time and subsequently fled the scene at around 10:00 GMT. Police later apprehended him after a pursuit. According to court documents read by Prosecutor Rachel Shenton, Rehman’s driving was demonstrably impaired due to his drug consumption. The case has drawn significant attention given Rehman’s prior criminal history; in 2017, he received a three-year jail sentence for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice following an incident where he set fire to a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man in Chorlton. Lulu’s family described her as ‘the sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl,’ stating that her loss has created a ‘devastating void’ within their lives. She was their only child and represented their entire world. Rehman is currently remanded in custody pending sentencing on May 27th. The prosecution intends to prove beyond doubt that his drug use directly impacted his ability to safely operate the vehicle.