An uninsured driver who killed a young woman and seriously injured her friend when he lost control of his car and mounted the pavement has been jailed.

Natasha Thorp, who was 21, was walking on Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield, on 22 August 2025 when she was hit by the car and died at the scene.

Her friend suffered serious leg injuries when they were struck just before midnight by the Toyota Corolla being driven by 20-year-old Saleh Hassan.

Hassan admitted to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while uninsured. On Friday, he was jailed for nine years and four months at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and eight months.

The 20-year-old had appeared via video-link at the court on Friday as the cells had been flooded, so he could not attend in person.

Shortly before the crash last year, Hassan had been driving multiple circuits around Sutton Coldfield town centre before heading down Brassington Avenue, which is a 30mph road.

He swerved out of control, mounted the pavement and hit the two women at approximately 45mph.

Members of the public, including passing motorists, rushed to try to help the women ahead of police and ambulance crews arriving. Hassan was arrested by officers at the scene.

In a statement read to the court, Natasha Thorp's family said: "Tash was our daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a granddaughter, a niece, and a friend to so many. No words will ever be able to express just how much we miss our dear Tash.

"Tash has been described as one in a million, as having her own unique style, and once met never forgotten. When she walked into a room it felt like someone had switched the light on. She could turn ordinary evenings into unforgettable memories.

"We will never know how her life would have turned out, what life she would have created. Not a single day goes by when we are not brought to tears thinking about our gorgeous girl.

"We have lost someone that could walk into any room anywhere, and regardless of where that was and who was in there, fill that place with joy and chatter and laughter. We will miss Tash in everything we do."

PC Lee Riley, from the Serious Collison Investigation Unit at West Midlands Police, said: "This young woman has tragically lost her life and her friend left with serious injuries by the actions caused by Hassan .

"Natasha's family now have to live with the result of that decision for the rest of their lives.

"We can only hope that this conviction and sentencing bring them some peace to be able to grieve and remember the woman they have lost."

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