Imran Amjad holds a photograph of his daughter, Uqasha Imran, who was tragically killed when she was just 22. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A grieving family mourning the loss of a 22-year-old woman killed by a public bus driver has accepted her killer’s community-based sentence, saying there is no sentence that can bring her back.
Uqasha Imran was riding her motorbike along the Barton Highway in Nicholls on 11 March 2025 when the driver of a Transport Canberra bus, John Alfaro, ran through a stop sign and crashed his bus into her.
She died in hospital several days later.
Her father, Imran Amjad, previously spoke to Region about the love he has for his daughter, describing her as a resolute athlete, loyal friend, philanthropist, focused professional and great humanitarian with a generous heart.
Alfaro, 53, pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent driving occasioning death. He was sentenced in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (16 September).
Magistrate Ian Temby said Alfaro hadn’t stopped at the stop sign to make sure there were no oncoming vehicles before crossing the highway, or looked for oncoming traffic.
“The consequences of those failures were tragic,” Magistrate Temby said.
“Mr Alfaro’s negligence was the sole cause of Ms Imran’s death.”
There was no way for Ms Imran to avoid a crash as Alfaro had driven the bus across two lanes.
The magistrate said when Ms Imran’s parents spoke to the court about the loss of their daughter, their “pain was palpable” and he noted her passing left an irreplaceable hole in the lives of her family and friends.
He also said there was no doubt Alfaro was remorseful, noting he had told his wife there were “no words to describe his sadness”.
Alfaro began working as a Transport Canberra bus driver in 2020, but since the crash, he had been moved to another ACT Government role.
Uqasha Imran was a talented taekwondo athlete, a world traveller and a loving member of her family. Photos: Supplied.
Magistrate Temby took into account Alfaro’s significant remorse, his lack of a prior criminal history and subjective circumstances when saying he did not need to serve full-time jail.
He was convicted and sentenced to nine months’ jail, fully suspended for a two-year good behaviour order and 140 hours of community service.
“No sentence can bring my daughter back,” Mr Amjad said after the sentencing.
“The void in our family life will never be filled.
“Nothing’s going to bring our daughter back, but her legacy in our heart, in our community, and through her ongoing presence in the sport, in the profession, in the community welfare, will always be there.”
He said he was happy with the sentence and remarked, “Thank God we have a good law system”, although he added that the sentencing did not bring his family closure.
“It just closes a very small chapter in Uqasha’s life to date and her legacy to come,” he said.
Mr Amjad also said the ACT Government and Transport Canberra “failed us and they failed miserably”.
He claimed that after the crash, the government released a statement to say Alfaro was receiving support.
“Six months on, not a single person from ACT Government or Transport Canberra has even asked, ‘Are you guys okay?'” he said.
“It’s such a shameful, horrendous act of negligence on the part of the department and the ACT Government.”
Former bus driver John Alfaro, 53, leaves court after pleading guilty earlier this year. Photo: Albert McKnight.
Mr Amjad said it was now too late to offer an apology or support.
“My friends, my community, my professional colleagues, everyone has come forward and thanks to them, they never let us feel that we were alone,” he said.
He said his family is planning on setting up a foundation in his daughter’s name.
“The community has supported us immensely, and I am thankful to them, and looking forward to their support in the ongoing mission of Uqasha’s life,” he said.
An ACT Government spokesperson said Transport Canberra recognised the loss of the family and the tragic events leading to the loss.
“Transport Canberra did have correspondence with the family; however, in respect of all parties involved, Transport Canberra are not able to make a comment on the matter,” the spokesperson said.
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