Garbage truck driver convicted in 2024 accident that killed U.S. music exec in Amsterdam

The driver of a garbage truck that caused an accident on the Passeerdersgracht in Amsterdam in October 2024, in which a 69-year-old American woman died, has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service. The Amsterdam District Court ruled that the driver had not exercised sufficient caution when making a right turn as the woman was crossing the street.

The victim was Cindy Charles from San Francisco. She was visiting Amsterdam to participate in a panel at the Amsterdam Dance Event. Recognized in the music industry as both an “icon” and a “heavyweight,” she was instrumental in negotiating licensing deals for DJs on Twitch.

Prosecutors had recommended a tougher penalty: 240 hours of community service along with a one-year suspension of the driver’s license. However, the court opted for a lighter sentence, citing the defendant’s personal circumstances and the responsibility he has taken for the incident.

Judges also noted the challenging conditions faced by professional drivers operating in a crowded city such as Amsterdam. The man had worked as a driver there for over 20 years.

Although he briefly returned to his job after the accident, he has since gone on sick leave again because he is struggling mentally. According to the court, it is evident that he never intended the accident to happen and that the events have affected him profoundly.

The driver was on duty in a garbage truck and was traveling along the Prinsengracht in central Amsterdam. He intended to reach Raamplein by taking the Passeerdersgracht, driving against the normal direction of traffic because he believed he had a permit to do so. While making a right turn, he later said he failed to notice the woman crossing the street.

“The tragic accident and the sudden death of the victim have left deep and irreparable marks on the life of her partner and everyone who loved her,” the court said.