The parents of a nine-year-old girl killed by a bus driver are speaking out nearly a year later.
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 hit the child on a pavement, according to the BBC.
Asolo-Ogugua failed a drug test at the scene after consuming cannabis the night before, according to the outlet. He was later sentenced to four years in prison and lost his driving privileges for seven years.
The BBC reported that Ada, a gymnast and swimmer, died in a hospital two days after the incident.
The victim’s parents, Nevgül and Bora Bicakci, have spoken to local newspaper News Shopper about their plans to launch a campaign in memory 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 told reporters. “Beyond honouring 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.”
The bereaved parents added, “Our voice resonates with other victims as well as other bus drivers who want to avoid similar future pain.”
According to News Shopper, Ada was riding her bike to gymnastics class with her five-year-old brother and her father when the incident occurred.
Nevgül and Bora described the driver’s four-year sentence as “unduly lenient.”
Ada’s Heartbeat was founded by the parents in memory of their daughter. They intend to hold an event at the location where Ada was killed on the day of the incident.
“We want to meet everybody. We are preparing to share additional information about the larger picture, as well as visuals from the incident, on August 3, 2025,” they stated. “We’re still trying to obtain permission to meet at the place where the incident happened, however, this is not certain.”
After Ada died, her organs were donated to six other children as a “testament to her giving spirit,” according to Nevgül and Bora.
News Shopper previously reported that the parents read emotional statements in court.
“My daughter’s gone. She was nine years old and innocent. Why is she gone? “Because a 23-year-old shirked responsibility, took drugs, partied all night, and then got behind the wheel of a bus the next morning,” Nevgül explained.
Bora, meanwhile, remembered being with Ada during the incident. “The sound of the tires striking the curb. Looking back, I see Ada’s body bouncing between the bus and the wall,” he explained.
“I’m holding her in my lap.” Her broken lungs fought for each breath. Her eyes are fading. Her brother stood behind me, stunned by fear. The bus is drifting away. People are stopping by to help. Sam steps in. Bora added, “Hope, followed by sadness.”
