Man Jailed For Killing Student In Broad Street Hit And Run

25 October 2014, 08:04 | Updated: 25 October 2014, 08:05

A driver who knocked down and killed a student in Birmingham has been given a five year sentence.

Fahid Saber, from Bromford Lane in Birmingham, was handed the five year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving after pleading guilty last month.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Saber was speeding through the city in the lead up to the collision in Broad Street in the early hours of Sunday 15 December that left 22-year-old Joseph O’Reilly fatally injured.

Despite his vehicle suffering serious damage the 21-year-old driver sped off from the scene.

He was arrested later that morning after officers tracked him to an address in Foxwell Road, Bordesley.

During sentencing at the court today (Friday 24 October) he was also handed an additional nine-month sentence for dangerous driving which will run concurrently.

Inspector Paul Bennett, from the Regional Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Joseph had lived in Ireland for most of his life and was studying at Wolverhampton University at the time of his death.

"Broad Street is a well-known vibrant area with a large night time economy and Saber’s driving was totally inappropriate and utterly dangerous on any road, let alone in such a busy area.

"By fleeing the scene, knowing he had been involved in a significant collision he showed complete disregard for Joseph and today's sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime.

"Sadly, inappropriate speed features in many collisions we investigate. I would urge everyone to drive at a speed and in a manner that is appropriate for the conditions. As has been evidenced time and again, speeding kills and destroys lives. Please drive safely and consider others."