JAILED: Killer drink driver left man for dead in Wolverhampton hit-and-run

Sergejus Aksiutovas, aged 49, was behind the wheel of a Mercedes when he hit 63-year-old Peter Salter as he crossed Evans Street in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton.

Aksiutovas, of Foster Avenue in Bilston, was more than three times over the limit and was travelling at 41mph in a 30mph zone when the crash happened just after 10pm on October 16, 2019.

He initially stopped at the scene but then drove off, leaving Mr Salter dying just metres away from his home. The painter and decorator was pronounced dead at the scene.

Passing sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court, judge Michael Chambers said Mr Salter may have survived had Aksiutovas stuck to the speed limit.

The judge said: "This was a tragic and criminal collision which caused loss of life. Mr Evans had left his home and was crossing the road. You drove a silver Mercedes car from his right.

"He is seen to look to his right and started to cross the road, his steps were quick as you approached.

"But you were driving at an excessive speed and under the influence of alcohol.

"The dashcam in your car showed that for the previous 20 minutes, you had been driving in a careless manner.

"Your passenger was complaining about the manner of your driving and asking why you were tailgating.

"You were driving along Evans Street at some 41 miles per hour. This was in a residential area where it was feasible that pedestrians were about.

"This is one of those cases where the difference between driving at 30 miles per hour or 40, or in excess of that, can make all of the difference between life and death."

At an early court hearing, Aksiutovas, who is Lithuanian heritage and needed an interpreter in court, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

He already had a previous conviction relating to alcohol and motoring.

Mr Chambers cited evidence from a "vehicle expert" who said the collision could have "likely been avoided" had he kept to the speed limit.

The court was told weather conditions made visibility difficult, and street lighting along the road was poor, and the victim wore dark clothing.

The defendant also had 110 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than three times the legal limit of 35.

Mr Chambers said: "The collision was dramatic, causing Mr Salter to be thrown into the air and strike the ground.

"You became aware of what happened and, although initially you stopped and went back to Mr Salter, you made off from the scene leaving your passenger there.

"There was a clear inference you wanted to avoid culpability because you had been drinking."

He added: "When interviewed, you exercised your right to make no comment which doesn't reflect good on you.

"But in fairness to you, you pleaded guilty to this offence and the pre-sentence report indicated what has been said by your counsel that you are very remorseful for what happened."

The court heard a victim impact statement from the widow of Mr Salter who said he was "her life" and they did "everything together", while they were planning to shortly move house.

Mr Chambers said: "She has lost her best friend."

In sentencing Aksiutovas, the judge said the aggravating factors were his previous conviction, where he previously caught under the influence of excess alcohol when in charge of a vehicle, and that he left the scene.

The mitigating factors was that he is the main provider for his family. He can work in excess of 60 hours a week.

Mr Chambers jailed him according to sentencing guidelines and reduced his term by 25 per cent.

He was jailed for five years and three months, while he was disqualified from driving for five years and seven-and-a-half months.