Uber Driver Jailed for Five Years After Killing Customer Who Was Sick in Car
An Uber driver was sentenced to five years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving after he ran over and killed a customer who had been sick in his vehicle.
An Afghan Uber driver has been sentenced to five years in prison after killing a customer who became sick in his car. Hayadulla Turkmani, 53, was cleared of murder but convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.
The incident occurred when Paul Ashton, 28, became nauseous and vomited in the back seat of Turkmani's car. After Ashton exited the vehicle to clean the seat outside his home in Basildon, Essex, Turkmani drove over him. Ashton was taken to the Royal London Hospital with a severe brain injury and died on October 4, 2025.
During the trial at Basildon Crown Court, Turkmani claimed he was "panicked and frightened" and did not see Ashton. Prosecutors argued that Turkmani drove over Ashton in anger after the customer became sick. The jury deliberated for two and a half days before reaching their verdict.
Judge Samantha Cohen described Turkmani as the "aggressor" in the dispute, stating that he "should have seen" Ashton in the road and that his driving showed "complete disregard" for the danger posed. However, the judge noted she was bound by the jury's verdict, which indicated Turkmani did not intend to hit Ashton.
Turkmani was also issued a seven-and-a-half-year driving ban. Ashton's partner, Sophie Carroll, described him as her "soulmate" and spoke of their plans to marry and have children. Ashton's mother, Jayne, stated that the family has been given a "life sentence" and that her son, a council worker, "didn't have an aggressive bone in his body."