Bus driver who killed girl, 9, after smashing into her while high on drugs is jailed as father pays touching tribute
He mounted the opposite pavement as Ada was riding her bike with her family
BUS TRAGEDY Bus driver who killed girl, 9, after smashing into her while high on drugs is jailed as father pays touching tribute
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A BUS driver who knocked down and killed a nine-year-old girl when he fell asleep after taking drugs has been jailed for four years.
Martin Asolo-Agogua, 23, had been up all night at a social event when he struck Ada Bicakci with the double decker in Bexleyheath, South East London.
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Nine-year-old Ada Bicakci died on August 5 last year
Credit: Metropolitan Police
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The youngster was hit by a double decker bus in Bexleyheath, South East London
Credit: Metropolitan Police
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Martin Asolo-Agogua, 23, has been jailed for four years
Credit: PA
Emergency services arrived at the scene on Watling Street at 9.03am on August 3 last year.
Despite their best efforts, the youngster tragically couldn't be saved and died two days later.
Ada, a Turkish and British national, was a 'keen' gymnast and swimmer, according to tributes.
Her five-year-old brother was also taken to hospital following the crash.
Officers drug-tested Asolo-Ogugua at the scene, which he failed.
The Met Police arrested him on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and drug-driving.
Asolo-Ogugua was today sentenced at Woolwith Crown Court for causing the nine-year-old's death.
The court heard he fell asleep at the wheel, after having taken cannabis the night before.
He mounted the opposite pavement as Ada was riding her bike with her family.
Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport team later trawled through CCTV evidence that revealed Asolo-Oguguathe first drove the bus out of the depot at around 8.45am.
They were able to capture the exact moment he fell asleep, and saw the bus swerve cross the carriageway.
Asolo-Oguguathe was charged in February earlier this year with causing death by dangerous driving while under influence of drugs as well as driving while over the drug limit.
He admitted both offences at Woolwich Crown Court in April.
Asolo-Ogugua, of Banfield Road, Southwark, was today jailed for four years.
The 23-year-old has also been disqualified from driving for seven years.
'PILLARS OF STRENGTH'
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.'
FAMILY HEARTBREAK
Ada's organs were donated and she went on to help six other people following her tragic death, her family said.
They also previously shared two pictures of their daughter, including one that shows her having had her hair cut for donation.
The nine-year-old was a Turkish-British national that lived in Bexleyheath with her family and attended a local primary school.
In a heartwrenching statement shared by the Met Police, 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."
'RECKLESS AND UTTERLY SELFISH'
Senior Crown Prosecutor, Miranda Jollie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added: '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.'
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