Uqasha Imran, who was just 22 when she died, was described as a person who left a lasting impact on everyone she met. Photos: Supplied.
While a young woman killed by a bus driver was everything from a high-achieving taekwondo athlete and world traveller to a huge Taylor Swift fan, she was, above all, a caring sister and loving daughter.
Uqasha Imran was riding her motorbike along the Barton Highway in Nicholls on 11 March 2025 when the driver of a public transport bus, John Alfaro, ran through a stop sign and crashed into her.
The 22-year-old was taken to hospital but died from her injuries several days later.
When speaking to Region this week, her father, Imran Amjad, described her as a resolute athlete, loyal friend, philanthropist, focused professional and great humanitarian with a generous heart.
“It still feels unreal that Uqasha isn’t around and then it feels like a bad dream,” he said.
“It isn’t that we don’t laugh, but then suddenly the pinch in the heart becomes so apparent that life stops for a second. Happiness feels muted and joys are searched for, whereas in Uqasha’s presence, these were in abundance.”
Born in 2002, Uqasha grew to become a loving daughter to her parents and a caring sister to her three siblings, always finding reasons to spend time with her family.
“Even if she was going to shops for small things, she would come to one of us and say, ‘Let’s go, bonding time is now’,” her father said.
“She was so mature for her age that we had her as the guardian in our will for her siblings.”
To honour Uqasha Imran (centre), her taekwondo club began an annual tournament in her memory. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Amjad said Uqasha loved her family time, swimming, hiking, her friends, music concerts (especially Taylor Swift) and was “a crazy cat lover”.
“She has her cat as her baby and would do anything for her,” he said.
“She was a bookworm to the next level. In the car, lunch break, plane, in the lounge – any spare time she had, she would read.”
Her passion for food and meeting locals from around the world took her to 40 countries.
“During her travels, she had been to Mecca, the Western Wall (Jerusalem) and the Vatican with the same respect and humbleness towards humanity and multiple beliefs that her love for people felt unmatched, such was her personality,” Mr Imran said.
Uqasha attended Amaroo School and Gungahlin College before studying at the University of Canberra (UC) and beginning a career in financial services.
She joined the Choong-Moo Taekwondo Club in Canberra when she was nine years old and the sport became her biggest passion. She earned her first-degree black belt at just 14.
“The hunger never stopped there, and she continued to excel with training and practice along with participation in a number of national and international tournaments, securing a number of medals, including gold,” Mr Amjad said.
To recognise her achievements, her taekwondo club awarded her a posthumous third-degree black belt and named an annual tournament after her, while UC gave her a posthumous Diploma of Business.
Uqasha Imran (second right) was a beloved member of her family. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Amjad would often suggest to his daughter that she should slow down and have more time to herself, but she would tell him, “I can find the time”.
“Life comes once only, live to the fullest,” she told him.
“The time I spend with you and Mama is the best time of my life.”
He described his daughter as “a better reflection of myself”.
“I am so proud of her that anything she touched she made a significant mark: sports, work, living the life and giving back to family and community,” Mr Amjad said.
He said she left a lasting impression on everyone she met and “her memories are all around”.
“I believe the community should know that for her age, she showed an unwavering commitment to helping anyone and everyone where she could,” he said.
“From small birthday parties to larger fundraising events, she was at the forefront and leading the pack with her commitment, personality and passion.
“She showed that time is just an excuse; helping others can be achieved with commitment and passion.”
Alfaro, 53, pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent driving occasioning death over killing Uqasha and will be sentenced in the ACT Magistrates Court on 16 September.
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