Man who drove bus into girl after taking drugs is sent to prison

A bus driver who killed a young girl while under the influence of drugs has been jailed for four years.

Martin Asolo-Ogugua was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, 9 June for causing the death of 9-year-old, Turkish and British national, Ada Bicakci by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

Asolo-Ogugua, 23 (17.07.01) of Banfield Road, Southwark, fell asleep at the wheel, having taken cannabis the previous night. He mounted the opposite pavement at the exact moment Ada was riding her bike across it with her family.

Detective Sergeant Sam Miles, who led the investigation, said:

“Asolo-Ogugua will have to spend the rest of his life regretting the night he chose to stay awake before getting behind the wheel of a bus with cannabis in his system.

“It's a night that has cost him his freedom and snatched away the life of an innocent little girl.

“Ada had her whole life ahead of her.

“She lived in the area and attended a local primary school where she was a popular and happy pupil.

“In a remarkable show of courage and humility, Ada’s family chose to take her life forward to help others by donating her organs.

“I can only hope today’s sentence brings some closure for Ada’s family who have remained a pillar of strength throughout these proceedings.”

Police were called to the scene at Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue in Bexleyheath at 09:03hrs on Saturday, 3 August 2024 where a bus had collided with two children, causing what paramedics described as life-threatening injuries to a little girl.

Ada’s family managed to jump to safety, suffering only superficial wounds, but Ada was left with catastrophic injuries.

Ada was taken to hospital but, despite the best efforts of medical staff, she sadly died on the afternoon of Monday, 5 August. Her family have continued to be supported by specialist officers.

At the scene, officers undertook a drug-test on Asolo-Ogugua, which he failed. He was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and drug-driving.

Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport team launched an investigation, which included gathering and reviewing CCTV that showed the bus, driven by Asolo-Ogugua, had left its depot around 08:45hrs on the morning of the incident.

Officers followed its route west on London Road, with Ada on a footpath heading east on Watling Street, and pinpointed the moment Asolo-Ogugua fell asleep, with the bus free to drift across the carriageway and into the path of the young family.

Officers built enough evidence to charge him on Thursday, 13 February with causing death by dangerous driving while under influence of drugs as well as driving while over the drug limit.

He pleaded guilty to both offences at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 22 April.

Asolo-Ogugua was also disqualified from driving for seven years.

Ada's father, Bora, said:

"The images of that horrific moment remain seared into my mind. That scene replays endlessly, a constant reminder of the day my world fractured beyond repair.

"This tragedy happened on my watch, a father's ultimate failure. My world has been turned upside down, and with it, the foundations of my family have crumbled.

"My darling Ada. Our thanks are not enough to show our gratitude for you. We will honour your name with acts of magnitude. You will never be forgotten.

"We will make this story one of love and thanks that we owe everybody. Your presence, and passing, will leave a mark in this country and we will fight to make drug driving a part of its history."

Senior Crown Prosecutor, Miranda Jollie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Asolo-Ogugua was reckless and utterly selfish to get behind the wheel of a bus after consuming drugs and put many lives at risk that day.

“His actions have robbed a young girl of her entire life. Our thoughts remain with Ada’s family and friends as they try to come to terms with their unimaginable loss

"I hope his sentence today can help to bring some closure for Ada’s family and highlight the devastating consequences of drug driving.”