A bus driver has been found guilty of causing the death of an 83-year-old woman through careless driving after he struck her while she was crossing the street.
Ozdemir Zia, aged 76, was making a turn onto Vincent Road adjacent to Woolwich Arsenal station in south-east London when the incident occurred on September 11, 2021.
During his trial at the Old Bailey, CCTV footage was presented, capturing not only the moment of impact but also the immediate response of bystanders rushing to assist the victim as she lay on the ground.
Mrs. Edna McLean suffered severe brain injuries and was transported to the hospital by air; unfortunately, she never regained consciousness and passed away two days following the accident. Zia’s sentencing is scheduled for March 14.
Prosecutor Nadeem Holland explained that the footage clearly indicated that Zia’s driving did not meet the standards of a reasonably careful driver.
He informed the jury that Zia failed to take adequate precautions to account for pedestrians potentially crossing Vincent Road during his turn.
While acknowledging that Zia was not exceeding the speed limit, he emphasized that he should have driven at a slower pace to allow for better reaction time during the turn.
According to Mr. Holland, experts in traffic collisions determined that Zia began to turn onto Vincent Road while another bus obstructed his view.
Additionally, a supporting pillar inside Zia’s bus created a “blind spot,” but Holland pointed out that the driver could have shifted his head and upper body to see around it.
Zia, who resides in Kidbrooke, south-east London, told the police that he did not notice Mrs. McLean until just before the impact, at which point he attempted to brake.
