Two Men Jailed in UK After High-Speed Driving Leads to Elderly Sikh Woman’s Death
London, Jan 15 – Two men, including an Indian-origin driver, have been sentenced to six years in jail and banned from driving for eight years after their dangerous racing led to the death of an 81-year-old Sikh woman in the West Midlands region of the UK.
Surinder Kaur tragically lost her life on November 13, 2022, after being hit by a vehicle on Oldbury Road in Rowley Regis, West Midlands. The incident occurred when Arjun Dosanjh, 26, and Jacek Wiatrowski, 51, engaged in a race after stopping at traffic lights next to each other.
Both drivers were speeding well above the legal limit when they struck Kaur, who was returning home from a gurdwara. CCTV footage revealed that Wiatrowski, driving a black BMW, attempted to brake upon seeing Kaur crossing the road, narrowly missing her. However, his sudden maneuver caused Dosanjh’s blue Mini to swerve onto the wrong side of the road and collide with Kaur.
As a result of this senseless act, Dosanjh and Wiatrowski pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving during a previous court hearing. Last week, the Wolverhampton Crown Court handed down their six-year jail sentence and an eight-year driving ban.
Detective Sergeant Chris Ridge of West Midlands Police commented, Wiatrowski and Dosanjh did not know each other and were driving competitively – this dangerous and foolish action has cost a life.
The grief-stricken family of Surinder Kaur shared their heartbreak in a victim statement read out in court and released by the police. They said, Our mom lived a very simple life. She was a deeply religious woman, and on the day of the accident, she was on her way home from the Gurdwara. The days and weeks after mom’s death were really tough; as well as trying to come to terms with our loss, we had to deal with an ongoing police investigation.
Road safety campaigners expressed their disappointment with the sentences handed to Dosanjh and Wiatrowski and called for the revocation of their driving licenses, emphasizing the need for stricter punishments to deter dangerous driving.
It is essential to remember the devastating consequences of reckless driving. This tragic incident serves as a reminder for all motorists to prioritize safety and adhere to speed limits diligently. The loss of Surinder Kaur’s life should serve as a poignant lesson that dangerous driving has long-lasting and irreparable impacts on families and communities.
Let this unfortunate event underscore the urgency of responsible and considerate driving, preserving the lives of those on the roads. Prosecutions and sentences like these must act as a strong deterrent to prevent future tragedies and protect innocent lives.
