The public prosecutor has demanded a community service order of 240 hours and a one-year driving license suspension for a waste lorry driver on trial for running over and killing American tourist Cindy Charles (69) in Amsterdam in 2024.

According to a police investigation, the man had 27 seconds in which he could have seen her and taken action to prevent the accident.

The driver also went against traffic for which he had permission but only when faced with an emergency which, the OM said, was not the case.

“This was not a moment of distraction. He could and should have seen her. Operating a heavy vehicle demands extra caution,” the prosecutor said.

Charles’s husband Ricky Fishman, who travelled from California to be present at the trial, addressed the court saying “strict and simple rules should be in place where trucks should come to a complete halt before turning left or right”.

He also said he forgave the driver. “It was an accident and to live with that is punishment in itself,” Fishman said.

The verdict is expected on March 5.