News Beat
Hyundai driver jailed for fatal North York Moors crash
Paul Brand’s family described how motorist Sahil Nagpal, 30, had put them through two years of “horrific” additional pain by refusing to accept responsibility for their loved one’s death.
Paul was driving to work when Nagpal collided head-on with his grey Hyundai Kona SUV as he tried to overtake another vehicle despite solid white lines along the centre of the road, a warning sign stating “hidden dip” and a “slow” warning marker on the road.
Three of Nagpal’s family in his black Hyundai i40 were seriously injured in the crash on the A171 near Scaling Reservoir between Whitby and Teesside on October 8, 2023, at 7pm.
Paul died at the scene, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Nagpal, of Wardley, Gateshead, denied causing death by dangerous driving and three charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, but was convicted by a jury at the end of a four-day trial. He was jailed for 10 years.
Mr Brand’s family said: “After a long, drawn out, painful two years we can finally stop and think about starting to properly grieve, knowing that the man who killed our dad is finally getting punishment, and we will have some justice for our dad.
“We have had the most horrific two years of court cases, meetings, etc., having to re-live the events of the crash which killed our dad, over and over again.
“We had to hear the list of our dad’s injuries caused by the crash, which was longer than you can imagine. We saw images of the car as a result of the crash – this was gut-wrenching and will be stuck with us for the rest of our lives.
“All while Sahil Nagpal watched our pain, and continued to plead not guilty.
“We will continue to keep our dad alive by never letting him be forgotten by anyone, and he will also be remembered by his grandson who never got to meet his grandad.”
Traffic Ccnstable Gemma Brett, of the force’s major collision investigation unit, said: “The impact this collision had on Mr Brand’s family has been immeasurable. I pay tribute to the strength and dignity they have shown throughout this ordeal, particularly his two children, who were both teenagers when he died. I hope they can derive some comfort from the outcome at court.
“By contrast, Nagpal – in the face of overwhelming evidence of his dangerous driving – pleaded ‘not guilty’, forcing Mr Brand’s family to re-live the trauma of this devastating incident. So many lives were affected by Nagpal’s actions on that day, and it is right that he now faces the consequences.”
