Driver jailed for hit-and-run that killed man

A driver who mounted the pavement in a stolen car and killed a pedestrian has been jailed.

Darren Whitehouse, 43, was fatally injured in February 2021 while he was talking to a friend on St Marks Road in Tipton, according to police.

Carlton Betts, 28, of Douglas Avenue, Oldbury, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving earlier this year.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday he was jailed for 13 years and seven months.

Following April's verdict at the end of a trial Betts failed to attend, West Midlands Police said he had driven off after the crash and left Mr Whitehouse "lying in the road", before dumping the vehicle in nearby Griffiths Street.

A warrant was issued after his no-show in court and he was arrested.

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