Tributes to 'proud' and 'loving' grandfather as motorist cleared of causing death by careless driving
A driver has been cleared of causing death by careless driving after a pensioner was struck by his van in Wolverhampton.
The family of Kewal Singh Dhesi have spoken of their heartache at losing a 'proud grandfather, loving husband, supportive brother and fun uncle'.
Mr Dhesi, a 72-year-old father of four, was trying to cross Myatt Avenue, Ettingshall when he was struck by a Mercedes Sprinter van with Daniel Straker at the wheel on November 4, 2014.
Mr Straker was yesterday cleared of causing death by careless driving.
Mr Dhesi's eldest son Tajinder, aged 45, from Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, said after the jury at the city's Crown Court delivered its verdict: "There are no winners or losers in a situation like this. It has taken a long time to resolve and now we must draw a line, try to come to terms with our loss and attempt to get our lives into some sort of order.
"We would encourage members of the public who witness or are bystanders to events of this kind to come forward and provide important information however small or insignificant they might think the details would be. Any factual information helps to refine expert opinion."
He continued: "Dad was a proud grandfather, inspiring father, loving husband, supportive brother and fun uncle and friend to many. He had a unique character and his ability to get on with both young and old earned him a high level of respect within the community. His untimely loss has had an immense impact on us all."
Mr Dhesi, who once worked as a carpenter at Windsor Castle, was walking back to the house in Hardy Square, Parkfields, where he had lived since 1976, when the accident occured.
Defence barrister Mr Gurdeep Garcha told the jury: "A pedestrian, like the driver, has a duty of care to check that it is safe to cross. It wasn't a zebra crossing, there was no priority for the pedestrian. You have to decide if this was careless driving, or just a tragic accident. Just because a man has died as a result of this terrible incident, it doesn't mean that somebody has to be guilty."
Mr Straker of Graiseley Lane, Wednesfield said: "I'm truly sorry for what happened to Mr Singh. I'm sorry for the family's loss. I took the bend correctly and responsibly. If I drove there today, I would do it exactly the same way.
"It was quite busy at the time. Another driver flashed me to go through. When I went to turn, the road was clear. The first time I saw Mr Singh was when I hit him and he went backwards."
