NEED TO KNOW
- The parents of Ada Zeynep Bicakci are speaking out nearly a year after the nine-year-old’s death
- Ada was riding her bike in London in August 2024 when bus driver Martin Asolo-Ogugua fell asleep at the wheel and drove onto a sidewalk, striking her
- Asolo-Ogugua failed a drug test at the scene and was later sentenced to four years in jail
The parents of a nine-year-old girl who was killed by a bus driver are speaking out nearly a year after her death.
Ada Zeynep Bicakci was riding her bike in London in August 2024 when bus driver Martin Asolo-Ogugua, 23, fell asleep at the wheel and drove onto a sidewalk, striking the child, per the BBC.
Asolo-Ogugua failed a drug test at the scene, having taken cannabis the night before, according to the outlet. Later sentenced to four years in jail, he has also had his driving privileges revoked for seven years.
Ada, a gymnast and a swimmer, died in a hospital two days after the incident, the BBC reported.
The victim’s parents, Nevgül and Bora Bicakci, have now spoken to local newspaper News Shopper about their plans to launch a campaign in honor of their daughter.
“This senseless act, rooted in driver negligence and systemic failures, ignited our unyielding fight to ensure a safer future for all,” they said. “Beyond honoring Ada’s name, we intend to pursue meaningful change from [Transport for London] and the government, as well as our community, to ensure a safer future for all.”
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The grieving parents continued: “Our voice resonates with other victims as well as other bus drivers who want to avoid similar future pain.”
Per News Shopper, Ada was riding her bike to gymnastics class with her five-year-old brother and her dad when the incident occurred.
Nevgül and Bora called the driver’s four-year sentence “unduly lenient.”
The parents created the organization Ada’s Heartbeat in memory of their daughter. They plan to hold an event at the scene where Ada was killed on the day of the incident.
“We want to meet everyone. We are preparing to share further facts about the larger picture and visuals from the incident itself to share on August 3, 2025,” they said. “We’re still trying to obtain permission to meet at the place where the incident happened, however, this is not certain.”
Following Ada’s death, her organs were donated to six other children in a “testament to her giving spirit,” Nevgül and Bora said.
News Shopper previously reported that the parents read emotional statements in court.
“My daughter is gone. She was nine-years-old and innocent. Why is she gone? Because a 23-year-old shirked his responsibility, took drugs, partied all night, and then got behind the wheel of a bus the following morning,” said Nevgül.
Bora, meanwhile, recalled being with Ada during the incident. “The sound of the tires hitting the curb. Looking back and seeing Ada’s body bouncing between the bus and the wall,” he said.
“Holding her in my lap. Her broken lungs struggling for every breath. Her eyes fading. Her brother behind me, shocked by fear. The bus drifting away. People stopping by to help. Sam stepping in. Hope and then sadness,” Bora added.
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