Extreme speeding killer driver Bhupinder Singh, 24, in shock after crash because turban flew off

An extreme speeding driver who hit and killed a beloved mum didn’t help her because of a wardrobe malfunction, a court has heard.

An extreme speeding driver who hit and killed a beloved mother failed to render assistance to her at the scene because his “turban had flown off”, which, to him, was the equivalent of being “naked in public”, a court has heard.

Killer driver Bhupinder Singh sat silently in the dock of the South Australian District Court on Wednesday morning listening to the words of his victim’s loved ones.

In her victim impact statement read to the court, Christine Sandford’s daughter Taniesha said losing her mother had altered her life forever.

“When she died, a huge part of my life was ripped away,” Taniesha wrote.

“The weight of her absence is something I struggle to carry every day. I used to feel safe, I am constantly filled with anxiety now that I live with the deep awareness that the people you love can be taken from you in an instant.

“I constantly think about how she won’t help me move into my new home, or stand by my side on my wedding day. She won’t be here to see my children. They’ll never get to meet their grandmother. She is missing from every milestone I imagine sharing with her. I spent my 21st birthday without her.”

In her statement, Christine's niece told the court her aunty was a woman with a “heart that knew no bounds” who was taken “far too soon”.

Bhupinder Singh arrives at court. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Christine Sandford, 40, was killed leaving a service station on North East Rd in 2023. Picture: Facebook

Since the crash in March 2023, Singh had continually denied causing the death of the beloved mother, aunt, daughter and friend – only this month did the 24-year-old change his plea and confess to killing her by dangerous driving.

Judge Paul Muscat on Wednesday said Singh had been driving at extreme speeds ranging between 150-161km/h in the moments leading up to the crash, but heard he didn’t render any assistance to his victim because of a wardrobe malfunction.

Singh’s lawyer told the court that his client may have been in shock after losing his turban in the crash.

“My client’s turban had flown off his head,” his lawyer said.

“He was in a state of shock, as a Sikh, where it’s almost like being naked in public, that exacerbated the situation.”

The prosecutor said it was “clearly the Crown’s case that” Singh had made no effort to render assistance to Ms Sandford at the scene.

Singh pleaded guilty to killing Ms Sandford in April this year. Picture: Sean Fewster

“It’s difficult to draw anything from someone’s reaction particularly after such a horrific crash as this one,” Judge Muscat said.

“People are often in shock and they don’t know how to react.”

Judge Muscat however said it wouldn’t help Singh that he told police immediately after the crash that he had been travelling at the speed limit.

“I’ll put you on notice now that at the end of next week’s submissions, there’s likely to be a remand in custody order,” Judge Muscat said.

Singh will return to court next week for further submissions ahead of sentencing.

Originally published as Extreme speeding killer driver Bhupinder Singh, 24, in shock after crash because turban flew off