‘Driver error’ caused crash that killed city couple

A BIRMINGHAM couple killed in a horrific six-car pile-up, leaving their four children orphaned, died after “driver error” sent them veering into oncoming traffic, an inquest heard.

Jolel Miah was driving the black Honda Civic but not wearing a seatbelt, while his wife Mussammat Khatun was wearing hers, Worcestershire Coroner’s Court was told.

The Bangladeshi-born couple from Birmingham were on the A435 Alcester Road dual carriageway between Junction 3 of the M42 and Becketts Farm roundabout when Mr Miah failed to spot a white van in front of him signalling to turn into the Esso petrol station.

West Mercia Police investigations found their car did not slow down and ended up swerving and clipping a Black Audi in the other lane, before veering across the central reservation into the path of three cars heading along the northbound carriageway.

Fifty-year-old Mr Jolel, known as Mohibur Rahman, and his 45-yearold wife died at the scene in the crash at 4.39pm on Monday, February 22.

Redditch factory worker Richard Meredith was severely injured when his car crashed head-on into the Honda.

He was driving a Ford Focus in front of colleague Richard Wheeler when the Honda veered across.

He suffered serious internal injuries and told the inquest he had only a vague memory of the accident. “All of a sudden, I remember a massive impact with my car,” he recalled.

Colleague Mr Wheeler described the black Honda careering over the central reservation, which doesn’t have a barrier, and he “couldn’t avoid a collision”.

The inquest was told all cars were driving within the speed limit and drugs and alcohol did not play a part. Mr Jolel was driving at between 45mph and 55mph on the road that has a 70mph speed limit.

Van driver Quinn Connors said her fuel light had come on and she was slowing down and indicating before turning into the petrol station.

She “heard a loud bang that sounded very close and saw a small black vehicle obviously out of control as it was tumbling and rolling along the lane.”

Nicholas Lane, Assistant Coroner for Worcestershire, said: “It was a driver error that was the root cause of this accident.

“The Honda Civic didn’t adjust its speed to the vehicle ahead and the reason for this is simply unknown.

“Other cars simply didn’t have time to react in any meaningful way. They had no time to do anything.

“I want to give my condolences to family members, to the children and nephews and other relations.

“This must have been a devastating day for so many people back in February.

“It is deeply tragic for all those involved.”

Cause of death was concluded to be due to a road traffic collision that led to severe traumatic injuries for both victims.