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A food delivery driver has been jailed after mounting the pavement and ploughing into a husband and wife walking hand-in-hand, killing one and seriously injuring the other. Harinderpal Athwal, 41, was driving his Vauxhall Corsa through Birmingham just before Christmas 2025 when it is suspected he fell asleep at the wheel.

Birmingham Crown Court heard he swerved into oncoming traffic, mounted the pavement and hit the couple without braking. He reversed to get away before hitting the man again and driving off and dumping the car. The 54-year-old husband and father died at the scene while his heartbroken 47-year-old wife suffered life-changing injuries and is still in a wheelchair.

Now, as Athwal was jailed last week for death by dangerous driving, the unnamed grieving widow said: "I cry every day for my husband. Without him, I feel completely lost."

An investigation found no reason for Athwal to have mounted the pavement and he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death by driving whilst disqualified.

He also pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without a licence and insurance, failing to stop, and failing to report being the driver of a vehicle involved in a road accident.

Athwal, of Tividale, in Sandwell, West Midlands, was jailed for 11 years and three months, disqualified from driving for 20 years and must pass an extended retest to obtain a licence.

The fatal victim's wife told the court: "I cry every day for my husband.

"He was my emotional support and my strength. He managed our finances, made important decisions and kept our family stable. Without him, I feel completely lost.

"The driver's actions have taken my husband from me, destroyed my health, and shattered my children's lives. Because of him I have lost my partner, my independence, my strength, and my future as I knew it."

Athwal was driving along Soho Road in Birmingham on 16th December 2025, as the victims were walking hand-in-hand along the pavement just after 11.15am that morning.

Athwal was driving away from the city centre on the opposite side of the road with the couple facing his moving car, but for reasons still unknown the car then swerved into oncoming traffic and mounted the pavement.

West Midlands Police said: "Hitting the two victims the vehicle showed no signs of breaking, until it finally came to a stop as it collided with another parked car.

"CCTV footage then showed Athwal reversing away from the injured man before putting the car back into forward drive, hitting the man again and driving away.

"Sadly, the man died at the scene from his injuries. His wife was taken to hospital and suffered life-changing injuries.

"A thorough and detailed investigation then ensued as officers began to trace the car and the driver. Athwal was arrested less than 24 hours later claiming he was unaware anyone had died."

Detective Sergeant Julie Lyman, from West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This was a tragic incident that has left a family without their father and loved one.

"Our thoughts remain with all his family and his wife who is still suffering with injuries that will affect her for the rest of her life.

"Athwal's actions in driving away and refusing to help and report the incident were cruel and heartless, showing his complete disregard for what he had done in killing and seriously injuring innocent people.

"No sentence will ever bring back the family's loved one, but I hope it brings them some peace that Athwal will now serve time behind bars."