A UK court has sentenced Harinderpal Athwal, a 41-year-old Uber Eats driver, to more than 11 years in prison after he deliberately drove his car into a couple walking hand-in-hand in Birmingham, killing the husband and leaving the wife with life-changing injuries.
The incident
The crash occurred on Soho Road in Birmingham on December 16 last year, just days before Christmas. According to West Midlands Police, Athwal was driving a Vauxhall Corsa when he suddenly swerved into oncoming traffic, mounted the pavement, and struck the couple without slowing down.
CCTV footage reveals shocking details
Investigators told the court that CCTV footage captured a horrifying sequence after the initial collision. Athwal reversed away from the injured man, then drove forward again, hitting him a second time before fleeing the scene. The 54-year-old victim died at the scene, while his 47-year-old wife was rushed to hospital with severe injuries that permanently changed her life.
Widow's emotional statement
In a victim impact statement read before the court, the widow expressed her profound grief. “I cry every day for my husband. He was my emotional support and my strength,” she said. “He managed our finances, made important decisions and kept our family stable. Without him, I feel completely lost.” She added: “The driver’s actions have taken my husband from me, destroyed my health, and shattered my children’s lives.” She also condemned Athwal's actions: “Athwal’s actions in driving away and refusing to help showed complete disregard for what he had done.”
Arrest and charges
Athwal, from Tividale in the West Midlands, was arrested less than 24 hours after the crash. He claimed he did not know anyone had died in the incident. Detectives said the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Athwal later pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without a licence and insurance, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report the crash.
Sentence
At Birmingham Crown Court, Athwal was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison. He was also banned from driving for 20 years and ordered to pass an extended driving test before getting behind the wheel again. Detective Sergeant Julie Lyman described the driver’s behaviour as “cruel and heartless.”
In conclusion, the court's decision brings some closure to the grieving family, though as the widow stated, “No sentence will ever bring back the family’s loved one, but we hope this brings them some peace.”
