Uber driver cleared of murdering unwell passenger

An Uber driver has been found not guilty of murdering a passenger who vomited in his car, but has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Hayadulla Turkmani, 53, crashed into Michael Ashton, 28, moments after dropping him and his partner outside their home in Langdon Hills, Essex.

The couple had been out for dinner and drinks together that night on 26 September 2025, the trial at Basildon Crown Court heard.

Turkmani, of Langdale Gardens in Hornchurch, east London is due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

Prosecutors alleged Turkmani ran over Ashton in anger after the victim was sick in his Toyota Prius.

In CCTV footage played to the jury, Ashton could be heard shouting "whoa, whoa, whoa" moments after arriving home, shortly before midnight.

Turkmani's car struck him at "incredible speed", dragging him under the car, before reversing and striking him again, a neighbour who witnessed it told the trial.

"At that stage, I closed my curtains, and I said to myself 'What have I just witnessed?'," said Ray Green, who then ran to help.

The impact of the crash, which happened in Rosecroft Close, caused injuries to Ashton's leg and brain.

Ashton, who worked for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council, died eight days later having never regained consciousness.

His partner, Sophie Caroll, told the court she fetched baby wipes after he was sick down himself as they were driven home from Frankie's Wine Bar in Hornchurch.

She said moments later she realised her partner was under Turkmani's car.

"I was hysterical, screaming. I called the ambulance straight away," she recalled.

Giving evidence in his defence, Turkmani admitted swearing at Ashton, causing him to turn around and begin "running towards me".

The Uber driver said he was "panicking and frightened" and denied seeing Ashton near his car as he drove off.

Reacting to the verdicts, Det Insp Stewart Eastbrook said: "Michael and his girlfriend were returning home after a night out and it was the defendant's job to deliver them home safely.

"Instead, he reacted angrily after Michael became unwell and this escalated into violence and Michael was fatally injured."

He said Ashton's loved ones were "devastated by the needless loss".

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