A 41-year-old Uber Eats driver has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison after falling asleep at the wheel and causing a fatal hit-and-run collision in Birmingham.
Details of the Incident
Harinderpal Athwal, from Oldbury, struck 54-year-old Jatinder Verma and his wife Bandana on Soho Road in Handsworth on December 16 last year. After the initial impact, Athwal reversed over Mr Verma before fleeing the scene. Mr Verma was dragged under the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. His wife remains wheelchair-bound five months later, with serious injuries including a brain bleed and multiple broken bones.
Court Proceedings
The court heard that Athwal was driving while disqualified, having been banned just six days earlier. Prosecutor Sarah Slater stated: 'He then drives over him. He catches him under the wheels of the vehicle and drags him along the road, driving over him again and then drives off.'
Mrs Verma told the court: 'I cry every day for my husband. He was my emotional support and strength. Without him I feel completely lost. Physically I am not the same person.' The couple's children have been forced to take on adult responsibilities while battling grief. Mrs Verma added that she has 'anger and deep resentment towards the driver whose actions have taken my husband, destroyed my health and shattered our children's lives.'
Sentence and Ban
Athwal pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and other charges. He was also banned from driving for 20 years. The judge described the incident as a devastating tragedy caused by Athwal's reckless and irresponsible actions.
