Death crash driver is guilty

A driver has admitted causing the death of a 90-year-old Darlaston woman in a car crash.

Edna Bytheway suffered head injuries when she was hit by a Volkswagen Golf, being driven by Hiralal Patel, just yards from her home.

The 58-year-old motorist was today due tostand trial for causing Mrs Bytheway's death by careless driving but has changed his plea to guilty.

The crash happened at The Green, near the junction of Addenbrooke Street, in Darlaston, on January 9 2009.

Accompanied by her sister, Mrs Bytheway was near her home in Cramp Hill when struck. She died in hospital.

A court had previously heard that Patel, from Pearson Street, West Bromwich, was estimated to be driving at between 23 and 26mph at the time of the accident. The speed limit along the road in question is 30mph.

The court was also told that Patel had told police he was "blinded by the glare of the sun" when his car hit Mrs Bytheway.

It was said at a previous court hearing that he had travelled for a further 130ft following the collision.

An inquest into the death has been opened and adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

Mrs Bytheway's 85-year-old sister was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital and treated for shock before being released.

Neighbours Diana and Peter Longmore said they moved into the row of terraced bungalows at the same time as Mrs Bytheway when they were built in 2000.

"She was a lovely lady and very caring," Mrs Longmore added. "She kept herself to herself."

A nearby shop worker said: "She used to come in here to buy the paper all the time.

"She was really nice."

He has been granted bail and will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday.