Harleen Grewal
Jan. 10, 2019 By Meghan Sackman
A 24-year-old Brooklyn man who crashed his car on the BQE in 2017 and left a 25-year-old Astoria woman inside his burning vehicle to die was sentenced yesterday to four to 12 years in prison, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.
Saeed Ahmad, of Marine Park, was driving home drunk from a night out in Manhattan when he crashed his sedan into a side barrier at around 4 a.m. on Oct. 13, 2017, causing the car to explode and burst into flames. He was accompanied by a passenger, Harleen Grewal.
Ahmad, who was speeding and attempting to pass other vehicles at the time of the crash, was caught on camera getting out of the burning car and getting into a cab, which he directed to take him to the nearest hospital.
He left Grewal in the car to burn to death without calling 911. Grewal’s body was discovered by firefighters when they extinguished the flames.
Ahmad originally faced 25-years in prison after being charged with murder. He agreed to plea to second degree manslaughter on Nov. 27, 2018.
“This defendant’s senseless and reckless actions caused the death of a young woman who had her entire life ahead of her,” said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in a statement. “Hopefully, the victim’s heartbroken family will find some solace with today’s sentencing.”
