Drink driver killed cyclist as she pushed bike on pedestrian crossing in Walsall

A drink driver who killed a cyclist making her way over pedestrian crossing has been jailed for eight years. Mandeep Singh struck the woman, who was in her 60s, as she pushed her bicycle across the road.

The 45-year-old, from Walsall, stopped for six seconds before driving over his victim in the carriageway of Lower Rushall Street. Singh has still not confirmed why he did this before stopping his vehicle, police say.

After the collision, which took place shortly after 10am on July 13, 2021, Singh was detained by members of the public until officers arrived. The woman was treated by paramedics but tragically, nothing could be done to save her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Singh had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit while he was at the wheel of his Volkswagen Polo. At sentencing last Friday (June 7), Singh was jailed for eight years and disqualified from driving for three years in a ban starting upon his release.

He was also told to pass an extended test when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Sergeant Julie Lyman, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said the tragedy "reveals the dangers of drink driving."

She said: "Singh was driving a vehicle while over the limit when the collision took place. He stopped his car for six seconds and then drove over his victim.

"He has still not confirmed why he did this but his vehicle was on the wrong side of the road and it may be that he hadn’t realised she was lying on the carriageway as his windscreen was smashed.

"Members of the public detained him until officers arrived and I would like to thank them for their assistance on the day. Singh’s behaviour on the day just reveals the dangers of drink driving.

"A lady has been killed because of his selfish actions. Our thoughts go out the family of the deceased lady. She died in tragic circumstances and while nothing can bring her back, I hope the sentence will give some sort of comfort to her family.”