Speeding drivers jailed after elderly woman knocked down in Wolverhampton
Two drivers have been jailed after an elderly woman was killed in a collision in Wolverhampton.
Two speeding drivers have been jailed after an elderly woman was knocked down and killed in Wolverhampton.
Andrew Phillips, 30, and Vijay Kumar, 23, were travelling in separate cars when they both burst through red lights at Snow Hill just off the city centre ring road.
An 89-year-old woman was crossing at the traffic lights on Birmingham Road on 14 January 2023 when Kumar swerved to avoid her.
Phillips, however, was travelling close behind and struck her, leaving her with serious injuries.
She died in hospital five days later.
Kumar drove off following the collision but Phillips remained at the scene.
An investigation revealed Phillips and Kumar - who didn't know each other - had been speeding just before going through the red lights. Snow Hill has a speed limit of 60mph but Phillips was driving at over 60mph, while Kumar was travelling at at least 43mph.
Although Kumar drove off, police were able to identify his car, which turned out to be uninsured.
Phillips of Cedar Grove, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years and eight months. He was banned from driving for over eight years.
Kumar of Borough Close, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was jailed for a year. He was also disqualified from driving for a two years and six months.
In a statement on its website, West Midlands Police said: "We know nothing can ever replace the loss of a loved one. Sadly, this collision reinforces the importance of driving within the law as otherwise there can be tragic consequences.
In the West Midlands, we have set the goal to reduce road death and serious injury to zero under Vision Zero.
We are working with communities and partners and are aware of their entirely understandable concern. Our partnership sees us work with local councils, charities the West Midlands Combined Authority and others to achieve safer roads for everyone.
"Our proactive approach involves focused operations in key areas, tackling the “fatal four” and preventing harm to the most vulnerable road users. The fatal four includes:
- Speeding
- Drink and drug driving
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt
"We are ensuring our Traffic officers are a visible presence on the roads 24/7, and we’ve invested heavily in our team which reviews dash and helmet cam footage from the public.
"We are working closely with the PCC, who is calling for money raised from fixed penalty notices – such as speeding fines and driving without insurance – to be spent on making roads safer in the West Midlands."