Uber Driver Accused of Murdering Passenger After Vomiting Incident

An Uber driver is on trial for murder, accused of deliberately running over a passenger who had become sick in the back seat of his vehicle. Hayadulla Turkmani, 52, allegedly murdered Michael Ashton, 28, after dropping him off outside his home in Basildon, Essex, late last year.

Jurors at Basildon Crown Court were told that Ashton and his partner had gone inside to clean up the "small amount" of vomit. However, Turkmani, who was assisted by an interpreter in court, reportedly continued to yell abuse and then drove his car over Ashton out of "sheer anger and rage."

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson stated that Turkmani used his car as a weapon, intentionally aiming it at Ashton and driving forward. Despite Ashton's "repeated and desperate shouts for him to stop," Turkmani allegedly continued to drive, causing Ashton's leg to break and sending him backward, hitting his head on the pavement. This impact caused a fatal brain injury.

CCTV audio of Ashton's final moments, where he is heard exclaiming "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!," was played to the jury, reportedly bringing some to tears.

Turkmani, of Hornchurch, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, manslaughter, and causing death by dangerous driving. The prosecution alleges that after running over Ashton, Turkmani attempted to drive away, dragging the victim's body underneath the car. A neighbor witnessed the event.

Ashton was taken to a hospital in Whitechapel, London, but died on October 4 due to his severe brain injury. Police were called to the scene shortly after the incident.

When police arrived, Turkmani claimed Ashton had run in front of his car. However, he later invoked his right to silence during police interviews, the court heard.

The prosecution argued that Turkmani intended the fatal consequences of his actions. The couple had spent the evening with Ashton's sister before visiting bars. They hailed an Uber around 11 p.m. to return home. The journey was uneventful until Ashton became nauseous as the car neared its destination. He apologized to Turkmani for being sick.

"A passenger being ill in the back of a taxi is undoubtedly annoying for the driver of the taxi but the defendant, you will hear, was a good deal more than annoyed at the inconvenience," Jackson told the jury. "You will hear that at that point, he became immediately angry and he began shouting at Mr. Ashton for the remainder of that journey."

Jackson further described how, as Ashton lay injured beneath the vehicle, Turkmani allegedly got out, looked under the car, saw Ashton's body, and then accelerated forward, dragging him.

In a tribute, police described Ashton as "dearly loved by his family, his girlfriend, and the endless list of friends he had." He was remembered for his "beautiful aura" and for lighting up rooms with his "handsome looks, his smile, and his warm personality."

The trial is expected to last three weeks.