'Heartless' driver jailed for fatal pavement crash

A man who rammed his car into a husband and wife as they walked hand in hand down a street in a "cruel and heartless" act has been jailed.

Harinderpal Athwal, 41, left Birmingham city centre on the morning of 16 December and headed down Soho Road, where he swerved his Vauxhall Corsa into oncoming traffic and mounted the pavement.

He struck the man, 54, and the woman, 47, before hitting a parked car. He then drove back and hit the man again, leaving him fatally injured before then fleeing the scene, West Midlands Police said.

"[His] actions have taken my husband from me, destroyed my health, and shattered my children's lives," the grieving wife said.

"Because of him I have lost my partner, my independence, my strength, and my future as I knew it," she added.

"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 motive for Athwal's attack remains unknown, detectives said.

The victim, whose identity was not revealed by police, died at the scene following the crash, while his wife was taken to hospital with what medics described as life-changing injuries.

Athwal, of Sorrel Close, Oldbury, was arrested a day later, claiming he was unaware anyone had died, investigators said.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty on 19 January to several offences including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death by driving whilst disqualified.

On 13 May, at Birmingham Crown Court, he was sentenced to 11 years and three months in jail and banned from driving for 20 years after his release.

Det Sgt Julie Lyman said: "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."

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