Family of Wakas Hussain react as death crash bus driver avoids jailA bus driver has avoided jail despite admitting he was at fault when a young man was knocked down and killed in Coventry.
James O’Reilly had pleaded guilty to causing the death of Wakas Hussain by careless or inconsiderate driving in Foleshill Road in January this year.
Wakas, 20, suffered serious head injuries when he was struck by the bus and died two days later in hospital when his life support was turned off.
O’Reilly, 54, was sentenced today at Coventry Crown Court and was handed a 12-month community order, including a rehabilitation activity requirement, and was banned from driving for a year.
The sentencing came after the court had ordered psychiatric reports to be prepared after it was revealed at a previous hearing that O’Reilly, from Stratford, had been admitted to a psychiatric unit in October.
Family reaction
Wakas’ dad, Imran Hussain, had previously said that he hopes the bus driver is “receiving help” and he has stood by those words.
Reacting to today’s sentence he said: “We all drive and things like this can happen - we do not think that he did it on purpose. It was an accident.
“I’m not one of those people who is wanting justice for five or ten years.
“My part in this has come to an end and whichever way the court have decided to deal with this, I’m with that.”
Speaking on how the last 11 months have been for the family, Imran said: “It was a massive blow to us and it has affected my life to lose the only son I had.
“I can’t get over the fact that he isn’t around. It’s not something that has sunk in yet.
“I keep thinking he is going to suddenly come back. But life goes on, as we all have to.”