Solihull driver jailed for hit-and-run incident

A driver in Solihull has been sentenced to three years in prison for a hit-and-run incident. Richard Perrin, 58, drove over a man who was trying to exchange details after a collision at a busy intersection. The crash happened on November 29, 2023, at the junction of Bills Lane and Shakespeare Drive in Shirley. Perrin was driving a white Toyota when he collided with another vehicle and then left the scene. The victim, a 29-year-old man, managed to catch up with Perrin due to traffic. He got out of his car to ask why Perrin didn't stop. Perrin claimed he didn't realize there had been an accident. As they tried to talk, Perrin drove off, seriously injuring the victim by dragging him several feet along the road. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Perrin fled, leaving the victim injured. The man was taken to the hospital and is still recovering. Police gathered evidence from witnesses, CCTV, and dash-cam footage. This helped them identify Perrin and arrest him at home, where they found damage to his car. At a Birmingham Crown Court hearing, Perrin admitted to causing serious injury through dangerous driving. Besides his prison sentence, he has been banned from driving for four and a half years and will need to pass an extended test to regain his license. Acting Detective Sergeant Lana Payne emphasized the trauma experienced by the victim, who has been unable to return to work. She thanked those who assisted the victim and highlighted the importance of road safety, urging all road users to be considerate of each other.