Drink driver jailed for killing retired teacher

Mandeep Singh was over the limit and driving on the wrong side of the road when he hit Doris Post, police said

A drink driver who hit a retired teacher with his car then drove over her as she lay in the road has been jailed for causing death by careless driving.

Mandeep Singh, 45, was driving on the wrong side of the road when he hit Doris Post, who was pushing her bicycle across a pedestrian crossing on Lower Rushall Street in Walsall, on the morning of 13 July 2021.

Singh, from Walsall, who was over the alcohol limit while at the wheel of his Volkswagen Polo, pleaded guilty to the charge.

The 45-year-old was jailed for eight years and disqualified from driving for eight years and three months when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 7 June.

Doris Post had taught German, Spanish, and Ancient Greek at Queen Mary's High School in Walsall

West Midlands Police said Singh stopped his car for six seconds after the collision, then drove over his victim who was lying in the carriageway, before stopping his vehicle.

He was then detained by members of the public until officers arrived.

Doris Post was treated by paramedics but nothing could be done to save her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Miss Post taught foreign languages at Queen Mary's High School in Walsall for 27 years, before retiring in 2019.

After her retirement, Miss Post was known to go on a daily bike ride around Walsall Arboretum, opposite the school where she had worked for decades.

It is believed she was returning from her daily ride when she was hit by Singh's car.

'Selfish actions'

Sgt Julie Lyman, of West Midlands Police's serious collision investigation unit, 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.

She added: "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."