Speeding Uber Driver Leaves 12-Year-Old Girl with Fractured Pelvis in Newcastle
A 12-year-old girl suffered a fractured pelvis after being hit by a speeding Uber driver on her way to school in Newcastle
Newcastle, UK, Uber, Fractured Pelvis, Traffic Accident, School
Newcastle: A speeding Uber driver hit a 12-year-old girl, leaving her with a fractured pelvis as she headed to school. It’s a tough story to hear.
The driver, Hamdullah Ozdemir, was already in trouble with nine points on his license. He sped through a junction at 41mph in a 30mph zone. He didn’t see the girl crossing the road until it was too late.
She was thrown into the air and landed hard. Someone called her grandmother from the scene, and she rushed over to find her granddaughter injured. It’s heartbreaking.
This all went down on May 2 last year at a busy crossroads. The girl stepped out when the lights turned green, but Ozdemir was going way too fast to stop in time.
In court, the judge pointed out how quickly the girl noticed the car coming. She was clearly visible at the crossing, but Ozdemir wasn’t paying attention. He looked away for just a moment, and that was all it took.
She ended up with a fractured pelvis and some scrapes. Thankfully, it wasn’t worse, but the judge made it clear that it could have been fatal. It’s a miracle she’s not more seriously hurt.
After the accident, Ozdemir and his passenger called for help. His dash cam footage showed how shocked he was right after the crash. He didn’t even realize how fast he was going.
The judge was surprised he didn’t know his speed, especially with his driving record. A police investigation confirmed he was definitely speeding.
She emphasized that he should have been more vigilant, especially in a school area. The girl crossed against the signal, but drivers need to be aware of kids, especially in the morning.
Ozdemir pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He got a 16-month suspended sentence, 200 hours of community service, and a two-year driving ban. He’ll have to pass an extended driving test to get his license back.
He’s devastated by what happened and has been having nightmares. He and his wife care for two adult children with special needs, which makes this even harder for them.
His wife said he’s filled with remorse over the accident. He even gave up his taxi license and only drives to take his daughter to the hospital now.
The judge noted how much this has affected him, saying he’ll never forgive himself. It’s a tough situation all around.