Little Lulu’s Life Cut Short by Drugged Van Driver in Manchester
A van driver who took “at least 20 lines of cocaine” before causing the death of a three-year-old girl in a horrifying crash has been jailed for 12 years. Rawal Rehman, 36, of Lambton Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after he struck Louisa Palmisano—affectionately known as Lulu—with his Mercedes Sprinter van during a family visit to Manchester on February 22.
Lulu died in the hospital from her injuries after being hit while walking hand-in-hand with her parents in Mosley Street at around 10 am. The court heard that Rehman, who had spent the early hours visiting two massage parlours, was heavily intoxicated, having consumed a large quantity of cocaine over seven hours.
CCTV footage showed the family walking along the pavement with Lulu between her parents. Rehman failed to stop at a junction marked with clear stop signs and road warnings. His van was hit by a tram, forcing it onto the pavement and into the family. The impact threw Lulu’s parents aside, but she was fatally injured, according to the Daily Express.
After the crash, Rehman—wearing his hood up—exited the van, walked around it, grabbed his phone, and fled the scene. He was later arrested.
The judge, sentencing Rehman to 12 years in prison, said: “Lulu, in her short life, brought enormous joy to those who knew and loved her. The manner of her death has caused continuing lasting heartbreak for her family.”
He added that Rehman’s actions were not only devastating for the family but also traumatic for eyewitnesses and the tram driver, who could not avoid the collision. “You fled, leaving Lulu and her parents there, in contrast to those who stayed at the scene and tried to assist,” the judge said, condemning Rehman’s selfish actions.
The court heard Rehman had a history of criminal behaviour, including a previous three-year sentence in 2017 for torching a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run. Defence lawyer David Toal said Rehman admitted details unknown to the prosecution, claiming it showed a willingness to accept responsibility. He added that Rehman panicked and went into shock after learning on social media that a child had died.
In a heartbreaking statement, Lulu’s family said: “Lulu was our only child and the centre of our world… Her loss is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.” They vowed to keep her memory alive: “We will continue to speak her name, to celebrate who she was, and to ensure that her light is never forgotten.”
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