Gurdial Dhalliwal death: Luton driver jailed after mounting pavement

Gurdial Dhalliwal's family said he was comforted by "good Samaritans" as he lay fatally injured after the incident

A hit-and-run driver whose car mounted a pavement and killed a 74-year-old man has been jailed for four years.

Hassan Javaid ran off after his BMW struck Gurdial Dhalliwal on a path in Luton on 29 October 2018. Mr Dhalliwal died later that day in hospital.

Javaid, 23, of Hayhurst Road, Luton, admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing at Luton Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for seven years.

He had also pleaded guilty to causing death while uninsured.

The car also damaged a lamppost and front garden brick wall on Dunstable Road

The court heard Javaid's car hit Mr Dhalliwal on a footpath on Dunstable Road, when Javaid lost control of the vehicle near the junction with Derby Road, at about 14:20 GMT.

He ran off, but handed himself in to police that evening, police said.

'Haunt us for life'

Aneid Saghir, 31, of Lansdowne Road, Luton, reported the BMW as stolen and was arrested that day.

He had pleaded guilty on what would have been the first day of his trial in March and on Friday was jailed for 10 months for perverting the course of justice.

Hassan Javaid fled the scene but later handed himself in to police

At the time of his death, Mr Dhalliwal's family thanked the "kind Samaritans" who tried to help the grandfather, and comforted him as he lay injured.

They said he had lived in Luton for 55 years and was well known in the community.

"We didn't make it in time to say goodbye, but at least we were all together to identify him," they added.

"Our world has fallen apart, and has been changed forever.

"What a waste of such a wonderful life, to end like that. Such an unnecessary act.

"For us to have to cross the path where this tragedy happened will haunt us for as long as we live."

Sgt Mark Dollard said: "Mr Dhalliwal's death was truly needless, caused by Javaid's dangerous and senseless driving, and our thoughts are with his family today.

"Javaid and Saghir's actions that day were compounded by the driver fleeing the scene, and a series of lies to attempt to avoid justice."