Speeding driver kills much-loved elderly NHS worker in Birmingham

A speeding driver who killed a much-loved and hardworking NHS worker in Birmingham by ploughing his car into her has been jailed for his horrific crime.

Jamie Abdale – described as “selfish” by the victim’s family – was over the legal alcohol limit and under a driving ban when he callously caused the death of Linda Harris who was on her way to a shift on 22 July, 2021.

Mrs Harris – a loving mother who provided care for the elderly – had been turning right out of Wentworth Way when she was struck by Abdale’s speeding car.

The force of the crash was so powerful that the 76-year-old victim was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police the speeding driver who caused the senseless death should not even have been on the roads. Abdale had no driving license and also had a driving ban due to a conviction.

Police discovered a “significant” amount of alcohol related items including empty cans and bottles of alcohol littering Abdale’s car.

Abdale, 37, of Lindsey Avenue, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court and jailed for seven and a half years for causing death by careless driving.

Mrs Harris was a caring, loving and selfless woman. She worked as an NHS worker who gave up time to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Harris’ daughter read out a tribute to her in court: “If Jamie Abdale had not driven when he was banned from driving my dad would not have lost his soul mate. The NHS has lost a special worker.

Everyone thinks their Mom is special, but ours really was.

“She had an abundance of love which she showered family and friends with.

“She was an NHS worker, still working at 76 providing elderly care and end of life care. She worked all the way through Covid, selflessly thinking of the needs of others first.

“I was so proud to call her my Mom. She did not deserve to die in the way that she did. She was cruelly taken from us too soon because of the selfish decisions made by Jamie Abdale.

“All me and my family can do now is spend every day trying to make her proud – our lives will never be the same again.”