Bus Drivers Avoid Jail in Fatal Crashes, London and Manchester

Ozdemir Zia, 77, a bus driver, has been sentenced to 15 months in custody, suspended for two years, after causing the death of 83-year-old Edna McLean by careless driving in September 2021. The court found that Zia's actions constituted a 'momentary error' and that he did not intend to harm Mrs. McLean, who was struck while crossing the road near Woolwich Arsenal station. He has also been disqualified from driving for three years and mandated to complete 12 rehabilitation activity days. The incident has left Mrs. McLean's family devastated, with her son expressing deep sorrow over her untimely death, and her widower describing himself as 'in pieces.' Meanwhile, another bus driver, Khalid Mahmood, faces a potential custodial sentence after pleading guilty to causing the death of 77-year-old Almena Amica by dangerous driving in a separate incident on October 16, 2023, which also injured eleven others. The court is expected to impose a serious penalty given the nature of Mahmood's offense.