Uber Driver Acquitted of Murder in Customer's Death

An Uber driver has been acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges after he ran over and killed a customer who had been sick in the back seat of his car. Hayadulla Turkmani, 53, was found not guilty by a jury at Basildon Crown Court.

Turkmani was convicted of causing the death of Michael Ashton, 28, by dangerous driving. Ashton, a council worker, died on October 4 last year, shortly after being struck by Turkmani's vehicle outside his home in Basildon, Essex. The collision occurred on September 26, just moments after Ashton and his partner had cleaned a small amount of vomit from the car's back seat.

Prosecutors argued that Turkmani had intentionally driven over Ashton in anger following the incident. However, Turkmani testified that he was "panicked and frightened" and "did not see" Ashton, who was six feet tall. He stated he was reversing to get away from Ashton, who he claimed was shouting and running towards the car after an argument about the passenger being sick.

Turkmani told the court that he felt a "jerk" as he reversed and only realized someone was under the car after exiting the vehicle. He stated he had retrieved a jack in an attempt to help.

Evidence presented to the court indicated that Turkmani, who fled Afghanistan in 1999 to escape Taliban persecution and later became a British citizen, was annoyed by the mess and Ashton's behavior. However, he denied deliberately targeting Ashton.

Jurors deliberated for two and a half days before reaching their verdict. The court heard outbursts from spectators in the public gallery upon the delivery of the verdicts. The judge addressed the gallery, asking for quiet. She noted that such cases are always difficult and thanked the jurors for their service. Sentencing for the dangerous driving conviction will take place at a later date.