London, An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to over 11 years in a hit-and-run crash involving a husband and wife in the West Midlands region of England.
Harinderpal Athwal, 41, was driving a car along Soho Road in Birmingham in December last year when he hit the pedestrian couple, killing the husband and seriously injuring the wife.
The Uber Eats delivery driver pleaded guilty to a string of dangerous driving offences and was sentenced to 11 years and three months at Birmingham Crown Court this week.
“This was a tragic incident that has left a family without their father and loved one,” said Detective Sergeant Julie Lyman from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at West Midlands Police.
“Our thoughts remain with all his family and his wife who is still suffering with injuries that will affect her for the rest of her life. Athwal’s actions in driving away and refusing to help and report the incident were cruel and heartless, and showed his complete disregard for what he had done in killing and seriously injuring innocent people.
“No sentence will ever bring back the family’s loved one, but I hope it brings them some peace that Athwal will now serve time behind bars,” she said.
The man, 54, and his wife, 47, were walking along the pavement hand in hand when “for reasons still unknown”, Athwal’s car swerved into oncoming traffic and mounted the pavement, West Midlands Police said.
The police added: “Hitting the two victims, the vehicle showed no signs of braking until it finally came to a stop as it collided with another parked car.
“CCTV footage then showed Athwal reversing away from the injured man before placing the car back into forward drive, hitting the man again and driving away. Sadly, the man died at the scene from his injuries. His wife was taken to hospital and suffered life-changing injuries.”
A “thorough and detailed investigation” led to the arrest of Athwal less than 24 hours later, who claimed he was unaware anyone had died.
Last week at Birmingham Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst disqualified, causing death by driving without a licence and insurance, failing to stop and being a driver of a vehicle involved in a road accident and failing to report.
Besides his imprisonment, Athwal was also disqualified from driving for 20 years and must pass an extended retest to obtain a licence.
In a statement released through the police, the female victim said: “I cry every day for my husband. He was my emotional support and my strength. He managed our finances, made important decisions and kept our family stable. Without him, I feel completely lost.
“The driver’s actions have taken my husband from me, destroyed my health, and shattered my children’s lives. Because of him I have lost my partner, my independence, my strength, and my future as I knew it.” PTI AK GRS GRS
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