Uber Driver Jailed for Five Years After Killing Passenger Who Was Sick in His Car

An Uber driver has been sentenced to five years in prison after killing a passenger who vomited in his car, but was acquitted of murder charges. Hayadulla Turkmani, 53, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after an incident last year.

Turkmani became enraged when Michael Ashton, 28, became sick in the back seat of the vehicle. After Ashton exited the car and attempted to clean the seat, Turkmani drove his vehicle at him outside Ashton's home in Basildon, Essex. Ashton sustained a severe brain injury and died on October 4, 2025, at the Royal London Hospital.

A jury at Basildon Crown Court found Turkmani not guilty of murder and manslaughter, but guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. During the verdict announcement, some spectators reacted with audible distress.

Judge Samantha Cohen stated that Turkmani should have seen Ashton in the road and that his driving demonstrated a "complete disregard" for the danger posed. She acknowledged that while she believed Turkmani was the "aggressor" and made an "abusive parting shot," she was bound by the jury's verdict, which indicated he did not intend to hit Ashton.

Turkmani was also given a seven-and-a-half-year driving ban. The judge noted that Turkmani had attempted to assist Ashton after the incident and had experienced symptoms consistent with shock.

Prosecutors had argued that Turkmani intentionally ran over Ashton in anger. However, Turkmani testified that he was "panicked and frightened" and "did not see" Ashton. The court heard that Ashton, a council worker, had been ill in the Uber on the way home with his partner. A dispute arose, and Ashton and his partner went inside to clean the car. Turkmani stated he accelerated to get away from Ashton, who he claimed ran towards the car.

In a victim impact statement, Ashton's partner, Sophie Carroll, described losing her "soulmate" and the future they had planned, including marriage and children. Ashton's mother, Jayne Ashton, stated that the family had received a "life sentence" and emphasized that her son was not an aggressive person.

Turkmani, who reportedly left Afghanistan in 1999 to escape Taliban persecution, denied all charges.