Van driver killed girl, 3, in crash after taking 'at least 20 lines of cocaine'

Louisa (Lulu) Palmisano,from Burnley,died after a van collided with a tram in Manchester city centre on Saturday,forcing the vehicle onto the pavement where it hit her (Picture: GMP/PA)

A van driver who hit and killed a three-year-old girl after taking ‘at least 20 lines of cocaine’ is facing years behind bars.

Rawal Rehman,35,drove into a tram before striking Louisa Palmisano,known as Lulu,as she was walking with her parents on a family visit to Manchester on February 22.

Louisa died in hospital from the injuries she suffered in the crash,while Rehman left the scene and was arrested later.

Manchester Crown Court heard Rehman had visited two massage parlours in the city in the early hours of that day and took ‘at least 20 lines of cocaine’ before the collision at around 10am.

Rehman,who admitted causing death by dangerous driving,and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on May 27.

Judge Alan Conrad KC heard it would be the prosecution case that Rehman’s driving was adversely affected by his consumption of controlled drugs.

In a statement,the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Rehman ignored stop signs and gave the tram driver no time to react before it struck the side of the van,which then mounted the pavement.

Abbie Clarke,senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West,said: ‘Our thoughts go out to Lulu’s family who must bear this unimaginable loss.

‘Rawal Rehman ignored the stop signs and tram warning signs when he drove straight into the path of an oncoming tram,and it is clear his driving fell far short of what is expected of a competent and careful driver.

‘Rehman failed to take responsibility for his actions. He fled the scene in a taxi and denied that he drove dangerously in interview,only accepting responsibility on his third hearing before the court.

‘He must now face the consequences for his role in this wholly avoidable tragedy.’

In 2017,Rehman was jailed for three years for conspiracy to pervert the course after he torched a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision which killed a 25-year-old man in Chorlton,Manchester.

Tributes left at the scene in Manchester (Picture: Jake Lindley/MEN Media)

Following the youngster’s death,her family from Burnley,Lancashire,said: ‘Louisa (Lulu) was the sweetest,kindest,and most generous little girl.

‘She was full of creativity and joy,and she absolutely loved going to nursery every day.

‘Her absence has left a devastating void in our family – she was our only child,our whole world.

‘We were simply enjoying a happy family day out in Manchester when this unimaginable tragedy struck.

‘In an instant,our lives were shattered beyond repair.

‘The pain of losing her is unbearable,and we miss her more than words can ever express.’