Donations continue to flood in to help fund funeral of toddler who died after Smethwick crash
A fundraiser set up to help pay for the funeral of a toddler who died after a crash in Smethwick has raised more than £4,500.
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Two-year-old Shehbaz Singh died following the collision involving a Toyota Auris and Porsche Cayenne on Dartmouth Road on December 14.
He was travelling in the Toyota alongside four adults, who were all taken to hospital after the devastating crash.
An online fundraiser with a £30,000 goal was set up by the Shehbaz's uncle, Mr Singh, on December 23 to help raise money for his funeral.
A statement by Mr Singh on the GoFundMe page said the money would also be used for the future care of the toddler's mum, Khushpreet, who was said to be "so ill" she was unaware of her son's death.
As of Friday (January 3) afternoon, the fundraiser had surpassed £4,500 as donations continue to flood in for the family.
The fundraising page reads: "The night of December 14, 2024, is one we will never forget...in the blink of an eye, the family has been devastated with the death of two-year-old Shehbaz.
"His mum, Khushpreet, remains in critical care in hospital. She is so ill she doesn’t yet know of Shehbaz’s death.
"It was just earlier this month we were celebrating Shehbaz’s second birthday and now we are having to plan his funeral.
"We don’t know if Shehbaz’s mum, Khushpreet, will be able to attend the funeral as she is still sedated in critical care and very very ill.
"Can you help with donations that will help pay for two-year-old Shehbaz’s funeral?
"We hope to raise more than the cost of the funeral with any left over going to help Shehbaz’s mum and dad recover and to provide care and support for Khushpreet in the future."
Man accused of causing death by dangerous driving
Sharjeel Shahzad, aged 30 and of Cooksey Lane, Great Barr, was arrested following the fatal crash.
He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while displaying false registration plates, driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance and failing to stop after a collision.
He indicated not guilty pleas through his solicitor when he appeared before a district judge at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in December and was remanded in custody until an appearance at crown court in January.
To donate to the GoFundMe, people can visit gofundme.com/f/shehbaz-singh
