Britain: A court in the United Kingdom has handed an 11-year and three-month prison sentence to a Punjabi-origin driver after he was convicted in a shocking hit-and-run case that left one man dead and his wife critically injured.
The case dates back to December 16, when 41-year-old Harinderpal Athwal was driving through Birmingham after leaving the city centre. According to investigators, his vehicle suddenly veered into the opposite lane on Soho Road before mounting the pavement and crashing into a couple walking nearby.
Police said Athwal struck the pair with force and then collided with a parked vehicle. In a disturbing turn, he allegedly reversed and drove into the male victim again before fleeing the scene without stopping to offer help.
The 54-year-old victim died at the location due to severe injuries, while his 47-year-old wife was rushed to hospital with life-altering wounds.
In her statement to the court, the survivor described the devastating emotional and physical toll of the incident, saying the loss of her husband had shattered her family and left an irreplaceable void in their lives. She described him as the pillar of the household and said his absence continues to haunt her daily.
Athwal, who lives in Oldbury, was traced and arrested the following day by West Midlands Police. During questioning, he reportedly claimed he had no knowledge that the collision had resulted in a death.
He later admitted guilt to multiple serious charges, including causing death by dangerous driving, causing grievous injury through dangerous driving, and driving while already disqualified.
Birmingham Crown Court delivered the sentence on May 13, also imposing a 20-year driving ban that will take effect after he completes his prison term.
Police officials described the incident as deeply distressing and said the sentence reflects the gravity of Athwal’s reckless actions, which permanently changed the lives of an innocent family.
