A MAN who crashed his car, killing his friend who was a passenger, whilst driving under the influence has been jailed.

Nirvair Lall lost control of his black Ford Fiesta in the early hours of Christmas Day 2022 hitting a tree.

His friend, 25-year-old Inderjot Singh, was in the front passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene in Forge Lane, West Bromwich.

When officers from West Midlands Police arrived at the crash, Lall, who had been drinking alcohol, denied being involved in the collision, then later changed his story, claiming he was a rear-seat passenger and the driver ran off.

CCTV footage from earlier in the evening shows the 25-year-old socialising and drinking with friends at a pub on Park Lane, Hockley before getting into the driver’s seat of the Ford, with Inderjot getting in the passenger seat.

The pair were both wearing electronic tags at the time of the crash after being released from prison.

Mr Lall failed a roadside breath test and data from his electronic tag showed he had been travelling at 70mph on a 30mph road.

Further enquiries by West Midlands Police also disproved his claims about a third person being involved in the collision.

Lall, of Amberley Green, Birmingham, was charged and later admitted to causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink.

He was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 11 for four years and has been banned from driving for seven years.

Detective Constable Gail Arnold from West Midlands Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Lall was driving the vehicle at motorway speeds – more than double the speed limit on the road while intoxicated.

“He was driving in a dangerous manner and ultimately caused the death of his friend.

“This tragic incident shows the real consequences of getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and our thoughts are with Inderjot’s loved ones.”