Boy, 14, died in ‘terror' after dad crashed on motorway while high on cocaine & advised by medics not to drive
Daniel Burba, 31, has been advised by doctors not to drive when got behind the wheel of his wife's van with 14-year-old Ryan Morgan in the passenger seat.
The dad had been diagnosed with epilepsy just weeks before the horror which was made worse by the use of illegal drugs.
Despite this, Burba was four-times the limit for cocaine and its derivative benzoylecgonine - causing him to suffer an epileptic fit.
Ryan had no choice but to try to gain control of the van before it swerved off the M6 near Lancaster and hit a tree.
The teen was tragically pronounced dead at the scene after suffering head injuries.
Burba, who also only had a provisional licence, was taken to hospital with "relatively minor" injuries.
While being treated, a paramedic discovered a small bag of cocaine in the dad's wallet.
Burba has now been jailed for ten years after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.
In a victim impact statement, Ryan's mum said her heart has been broken and told how she has been unable to grieve properly because she fears once she starts, she won't be able to stop.
She continued: 'I feel that no amount of time Daniel will serve will ever be enough for taking Ryan's life. Not only did he take my boy's life, he took my boy's future.
"My boy will never grow and be a father, go to work and follow his dreams or travel. He didn't even get to finish school. He hasn't ever had a chance to experience life.
"It's so unfair because Ryan did have a beautiful heart. He wanted to be a policeman. He would have changed the world. He made it a better place in the short time he was here. He made everyone smile who came into contact with him. He had a smile that lit up the room.
'Daniel has taken all that and more. Daniel has taken a precious son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and cousin. He had so much to live for.
"The fact that Daniel knew he wasn't allowed to drive due to his seizures, plus a lack of licence and insurance is just disgusting.'
Preston Crown Court heard the horror unfolded on April 20 as other motorists noticed Burba driving erratically with his hazards on.
He reached speeds of more than 70mph before leaving the carriageway and smashing into a tree.
The court heard the Peugeot Bipper van flipped over due to the force it hit the tree.
Police later discovered Burba had been told in October 2014 by his doctor to stop taking cocaine after he suffered a seizure which lasted up to four minutes.
He was also advised not to drive, with the same warning issued in February when he was admitted to hospital after more fits.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, told him: 'You knew that cocaine predisposed you to further fits.
"You were not entitled to drive unsupervised and certainly not on the motorway. You should not have behind the wheel at all."
As well as the jail sentence, Judge Altham disqualified Burba from driving for 14 years and five months.
Sgt Martin Wilcock, Senior Investigating Officer at our Road Policing Unit, said: 'No sentence will ever make up for any loss of life, particularly in these tragic circumstances. However, Daniel Burba will have the rest of his life to reflect upon the catastrophic consequences his decision to consume drugs and then get behind the wheel have had. Sadly, his son will not.
'I hope the outcome of this case sends a strong message out to anyone who is considering driving, having been told by a doctor not to. Or anyone who is considering driving, having consumed drugs or alcohol.
'As is so very obvious from this case, you run the risk of taking a life but also ruining many others – including your own.'
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