Uber driver injured woman when foot slipped
BBCAn Uber driver seriously injured a woman in a crash when his foot slipped off his brake pedal on to his accelerator, a court has heard.
Navtej Singh, 28, rammed into the back of a car at the Kingston Park roundabout in Newcastle in the early hours of 15 June 2023.
The woman, who was on her way home from Newcastle Airport, spent more than a month in hospital after suffering multiple injuries including a bleed on the brain and fractured ribs, the city's crown court was told.
Singh, who was later caught speeding at 108mph in a 70mph zone, was jailed for 18 weeks, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted causing serious injury by careless driving.
The Indian national, who moved to the UK to study in 2017, was heading home at the end of his shift when the crash occurred at about 06:00 BST, the court heard.
There were two cars in front of him, both being driven by women on their way home from the airport, as he approached the roundabout at between 30 and 35mph.
As he went to brake, his foot accidentally hit his accelerator and he ploughed into the back of the car in front, which in turn hit the one ahead.
The woman in the car he hit was forced to retire early due to her injuries, which the judge said would probably leave her with lifelong mobility issues.
Driving ban
Singh, of Percy Street in Jarrow, South Tyneside, said he was genuinely remorseful about what happened and wished he had suffered the injuries rather than the woman, the court heard.
But on 8 April 2024, 10 months after the crash, he was caught doing 108mph on a 70mph road, for which he was fined £370 and hit with six penalty points.
Judge Penny Moreland said it was hard to square his claims of remorse with the fact he was then caught driving so badly afterwards.
Singh was banned from driving for a year and must pass an extended test before he can have his licence back.
He was also ordered to complete 150 hours' unpaid work.