Walsall man admits killing passenger of the BMW he crashed on the Black Country Route
A Walsall man has admitted killing the passenger of the BMW he crashed on the Black Country Route in November 2021.
Craig Callear lost control of his white BMW M5 at 8.45pm on Monday, November 1, 2021 and crashed into the central reservation of the A463 Black Country Route in Bilston.
Front seat passenger Aranpreet Singh, who was in his 20s, was cut out of the car by firefighters but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Callear, 45, was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital trauma unit where he remained in critical condition for several weeks.
Callear, of Birmingham New Road, Walsall, appeared before Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday. He confirmed his name and pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, an offence which can carry a maximum sentence of life.
However, Callear did plead guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, which has a maximum sentence of five years.
Prosecuting, Jonathan Barker said: "After a lot of discussions with the police and reviewing the evidence which is available, we will accept the guilty plea to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
"This decision has not been taken lightly."
Mr Singh's family were in the public gallery after being consulted and informed by the police and Crown Prosecution Service about the progression of the case, which suffered from several delays due to Callear's health, Covid and the lack of clear cut CCTV footage of the crash.
Mr Barker added: "I have spoken to the family, telling them the evidential strengths and weaknesses of both cases, and they understand my thought processes accepting this plea."It is with a heavy heart we are accepting causing death by careless driving but this is the best course of action due to evidence available to us."
Judge Jonathon Gosling said: "This is a tragic case to everyone involved but I feel this plea is entirely appropriate."
Judge Gosling banned Callear from driving with immediate effect.
He told Callear: "This is a very serious and distressing crime.I am going to adjourn this case until your sentencing on June 27. A pre-sentence report will need to be compiled and it is important you co-operate with the probation service concerning this report.
"The family will also be given time to submit personal victim impact statements which will be heard in court before you are sentencing."
He added: "I am banning you from driving immediately the judge will decide how long your disqualification will be during your sentencing. Though you remain on bail this does not mean you cannot expect a custodial sentence."