A teenage motorist who caused the death of a 78-year-old grandmother when he ran a red light in Walsall has been spared immediate imprisonment. Subhaan Khan, 19, of Fernleigh Road, Walsall, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday, July 17.
The court heard that Khan was driving his Seat along Blue Lane West, on the A4148, just before 5.40pm on November 1, 2024, when he failed to stop at a red traffic light. As he attempted to take avoidant action, he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a Vauxhall Astra being driven by Amandeep Kaur. Her grandmother, Surinder Kaur, was a passenger in the car and suffered life-threatening injuries, from which she later died.
Amandeep, who was also in the vehicle, survived the crash but has been left with severe emotional trauma. In a moving victim impact statement read to the court, she described how the family's lives have been changed irrevocably by the loss of the woman who "had always held them together".
Raised by her grandmother
Amandeep told the court that Surinder was "one of the strongest people she has ever known" and that she "truly believed she had many more years ahead" of her. The grandmother had raised Amandeep from a young age, and the pair shared a bond that went far beyond the usual grandparent-grandchild relationship.
"She was not just my grandmother, she was the person who raised me - the dad I never had, the sibling I bickered with," Amandeep said.
She recalled how Surinder never allowed her to take the bus home from school, always waiting for her at the end of the day. The two would "sit together for hours" in the evenings while Surinder told stories about her life. Despite facing hardships, the pensioner never complained, instead teaching her granddaughter to appreciate what she had and to work hard for the things that matter.
"The roof we have over our heads today exists because of her sacrifice and determination," Amandeep said. "I have realised that every achievement I ever had is just as much hers as it is mine."
Final moments and a wedding that will not be
Just one week before the crash, Amandeep had shared the happy news that she planned to get married. Surinder was "so excited" for the wedding, and would have "thrown herself into every part of planning it", her granddaughter said. "She should have had the chance to get to know my fiancé better," Amandeep added.
Following the collision, Amandeep remained at her grandmother's side in her final moments of consciousness. She told her she was "right there", just as Surinder had always been there for her. Amandeep said, "Knowing she was not alone brought her some comfort. I hope she knew just how deeply she was loved."
"I never imagined our last conversation would be our last," she said. "More than anything, I wish she was still here. I would give anything to sit with my nan one last time, to hear her voice, have one more conversation with her and tell her how much I miss her and wish she was still here."
Aftermath and the waiting dog
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Amandeep said she has relived the crash, experiencing flashbacks and becoming anxious when she is on the road. She also described a heartbreaking image from the family home: their dog sitting patiently in front of Surinder's chair, waiting for his bedtime treats, unaware that his owner would never return.
"It broke my heart watching him wait for someone who was never coming home," she said. The memory, she added, has never left her.
Amandeep said Surinder had "touched the lives of so many people" and that her death has "left a void that can never be filled". She added: "Everyone who had the privilege of knowing her knew how special she was. She had finally reached a stage in life when she deserved peace, happiness and time with her family. Instead, she was taken from us in the most devastating way imaginable."
Sentence and court details
Khan, described in court as a "model student" and a new driver, had been driving within the 30mph speed limit and "properly" in the lead up to the collision. However, he failed to see the red light and his attempt to avoid a collision came too late. He lost control of his Seat and ploughed into the Vauxhall Astra.
On Friday, July 17, Khan was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was banned from driving for five years. The court heard that the sentence was given after Khan had entered a guilty plea.
The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from a momentary lapse in concentration behind the wheel. For Amandeep and her family, the pain is enduring.
"There will always be an empty chair," Amandeep said. "Everything I am today is because of the woman she raised me to be. I hope she knows that every decision I make, every milestone I reach and every step I take is because of her."
