A Wolverhampton motorist has been sent to prison after a reckless overtaking manoeuvre left a moped rider with catastrophic, life-altering injuries.
Reckless Overtaking Leads to Catastrophic Collision
Majinder Singh Virk, 48, was driving his BMW over the speed limit on Moseley Road in Bilston. At around 1.50pm on January 7, he made the dangerous decision to overtake multiple vehicles, putting himself on the wrong side of the carriageway.
As he sped past other cars, he approached the junction with Prouds Lane. A moped rider was pulling out from this side road and had no reasonable chance to anticipate a car coming towards her on her side of the road. Virk's BMW struck the moped with devastating force.
Life-Changing Consequences for Victim
The impact of the collision was so severe that it knocked the rider's helmet from her head. She required immediate life-saving treatment at the scene and was rushed to hospital.
The victim continues to suffer from the effects of her injuries and is now learning to adapt to living with a permanent disability. She remains under hospital care as she comes to terms with the long-term consequences of the crash.
Police Investigation and Court Sentencing
Virk, of Norbury Road, Wolverhampton, remained at the scene. An investigation by the West Midlands Police serious collision investigation unit later established he had been travelling at between 49 and 54 mph in the moments before the impact.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. At Birmingham Crown Court on December 22, he was handed a three-year prison sentence and banned from driving.
West Midlands Police Sergeant Richard Evans condemned Virk's actions. "This was an extreme and wholly unacceptable example of dangerous driving," he stated. "Virk chose to drive on the wrong side of the road at speed, overtaking multiple vehicles through pedestrian crossings and approaching junctions where the risk to others was obvious."
Sergeant Evans added a sobering warning: "This serves as a stark reminder that reckless driving decisions can destroy lives in an instant."
