Latest news with #DanielBurba
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
The minutes before cocaine-fuelled driver caused son's M6 death
Footage has shown the moment Daniel Burba left his son in a van to go into a petrol station minutes before he caused the 14-year-old's death in a motorway Morgan suffered fatal injuries after the van veered off the M6 when Burba, who had never passed a driving test, had an epileptic fit at the wheel near terrified boy tried to get control of the vehicle but it crashed into a tree between junctions 33 and 34 on 20 who had taken cocaine, was jailed for 10 years at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday by a judge who told him he had made a "deliberate decision" to drive and "disregarded the lives of others". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Sky News
6 days ago
- Sky News
Drug-driving father Daniel Burba jailed for 10 years after his teenage son dies in M6 crash
A father who crashed the vehicle he was driving after having a cocaine-fuelled epileptic fit at the wheel, killing his teenage son, has been jailed for 10 years. Daniel Burba, 31, was driving his wife's Peugeot van when the vehicle swerved off the M6 near Lancaster in Lancashire and hit a tree in April. His 14-year-old son, Ryan Morgan, suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the southbound carriageway between junctions 34 and 33. The youngster died "in terror" as he tried to gain control of the vehicle moments before the crash, Preston Crown Court heard. Burba, from Morecambe, who had been advised not to drive due to his fits and only had a provisional driving licence, was taken to hospital with "relatively minor" injuries to his ribs and lacerations. While he was being treated, a paramedic found a small bag of cocaine in Burba's wallet, and blood tests showed he was four times above the legal drug-drive limit, the court heard. Burba had been told by his doctor more than a decade earlier to stop taking the banned class A drug after he suffered a seizure which lasted up to four minutes. He was also advised not to drive. He was given a similar warning in February when he was admitted to hospital after more fits and was also told to inform the DVLA. Sentencing him, Judge Robert Altham reminded him that he knew cocaine made further fits more likely and should not have been driving at all, "unsupervised and certainly not on the motorway". "You chose to drive on a motorway on a busy bank holiday Sunday. You had a passenger in the van, and that passenger was your son, a person you should have been protecting and not endangering." "You knew that taking cocaine made your decision to drive all the more dangerous. Your driving put many other road users in danger," Judge Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, said. Burba pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving and also admitted driving without a licence or insurance. He had been travelling in convoy with his wife, Frances - Ryan's stepmother - and their three children. Witnesses described Burba driving "erratically" on the motorway with hazard lights on as the vehicle narrowly missed swerving into a coach on the inside lane. A witness said the front seat passenger "looked really scared" and was apparently trying to steer the van while the driver was slumped over the wheel. The Bipper van hit the central reservation, swerved across the carriageway and then up a grass bank before it hit a tree, the court heard. Ryan's mother Kim, who was in court, said Burba's actions were "disgusting". Her son "would have changed the world," she said. "He [Ryan] 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." Paul Humphries, defending, said Burba was "remorseful" and "very much regrets his actions that day".
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Father who kept driving despite medical advice jailed over son's death in crash
A cocaine-fuelled motorist who killed his teenage son after he ignored medical advice to stop driving has been jailed for 10 years. Daniel Burba, 31, had an epileptic fit at the wheel of his wife's Peugeot van which swerved off the M6 near Lancaster and hit a tree on April 20. His front-seat passenger, Ryan Morgan, 14, sustained head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the southbound carriageway between junctions 34 and 33. The youngster died 'in terror' as he tried to gain control of the vehicle moments before the crash, Preston Crown Court heard. Burba was taken to hospital with 'relatively minor' injuries to his ribs and lacerations. While he was being treated, a paramedic discovered a small bag of cocaine in Burba's wallet, the court was told. Blood tests revealed that the defendant was four times above the legal drug-drive limit. It emerged that Burba, from Morecambe, Lancashire, had been told in October 2014 by his doctor to stop taking cocaine after he suffered a seizure which lasted up to four minutes. The provisional licence holder was also advised not to drive. Burba was given a similar warning in February when he was admitted to hospital after more fits and was also told to inform the DVLA. 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. 'You chose to drive on a motorway on a busy bank holiday Sunday. You had a passenger in the van and that passenger was your son, a person you should have been protecting and not endangering. 'You knew that taking cocaine made your decision to drive all the more dangerous. Your driving put many other road users in danger.' Burba, of Arnside Crescent, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving. He also admitted driving without a licence and with no insurance. Judge Altham disqualified him from driving for 14 years and five months. Burba was travelling in convoy with his wife, Frances – Ryan's stepmother – and their three children. Witnesses described Burba driving 'erratically' on the motorway with hazard lights on as the vehicle narrowly missed swerving into a coach on the inside lane. One woman said she noticed the front seat passenger 'looked really scared' as it appeared he was trying to steer the van while the driver was slumped over the wheel. She mouthed to the 'terrified' teenager to try to put the vehicle into neutral while other drivers attempted to get in front of the Bipper van to clear a path. But the vehicle struck the central reservation, swerved across the carriageway and then up a grass bank before it hit a tree, the court heard. Burba's wife witnessed the incident from her vehicle and was said to be 'distraught' at the scene. When interviewed, Burba lied that he had only just discovered he should not drive due to his medical condition and that he had never driven the van before. Burba said he had no recollection of taking cocaine. Judge Altham told the defendant: 'You could have admitted to what you did but you chose instead to lie in order to save yourself.' Ryan's mother Kim, who was sat in court, said Burba's actions were 'disgusting'. In a victim personal statement, she said: '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. '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.' Judge Altham said he had 'rarely seen' as many testimonials in support of a defendant – said to be of 'Christian faith' who was involved in various charitable work. But he highlighted one reference which said Burba was 'a fantastic father, honest and caring' and told the court: 'I wonder if the author of that letter knows you and the circumstances of this case at all.' He added: 'Your wife suggests you have never intentionally put any of your children in danger. That is plainly not true.' Burba received points on his licence and a fine in June 2021 for driving without insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with his licence, the court heard. Paul Humphries, defending, said Burba was 'remorseful'. He said: 'He very much regrets his actions that day. He has indeed attempted suicide in the last few weeks. 'He knows he has to be punished. He accepts he has to be punished. 'He is well aware he made a very, very poor decision and one he very much regrets, and one he has no intention of repeating.' Following sentencing, Sergeant Martin Wilcock, senior investigating officer, 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.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Boy, 14, died in ‘terror' after dad crashed on motorway while high on cocaine & advised by medics not to drive
A TEEN boy died "in terror" after his dad crashed on a motorway while high on cocaine. 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.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Cocaine-fuelled father who killed his teenage son in crash after ignoring doctor's orders not to drive is jailed
A cocaine-fuelled motorist who ignored medical advice to stop driving before he killed his teenage son has been jailed for 10 years. Daniel Burba, 31, had an epileptic fit at the wheel of his wife's Peugeot van which swerved off the M6 near Lancaster and hit a tree on April 20. His son Ryan Morgan, 14, was sat in the front seat at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene, between junctions 34 and 33 southbound near to University Hill. The youngster died 'in terror' as he tried to gain control of the vehicle moments before the crash, Preston Crown Court heard. Burba was taken to hospital with 'relatively minor' injuries to his ribs and lacerations. While he was being treated, a paramedic discovered a small bag of cocaine in Burba's wallet, the court was told. Blood tests revealed that the defendant was four times above the legal drug-drive limit. It emerged that Burba, from Morecambe, Lancashire, had been told in October 2014 by his doctor to stop taking cocaine after he suffered a seizure which lasted up to four minutes. The provisional licence holder was also advised not to drive. Burba was given a similar warning in February when he was admitted to hospital after more fits and was also told to inform the DVLA. 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 'You chose to drive on a motorway on a busy bank holiday Sunday. You had a passenger in the van and that passenger was your son, a person you should have been protecting and not endangering. 'You knew that taking cocaine made your decision to drive all the more dangerous. Your driving put many other road users in danger.' Burba, of Arnside Crescent, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving. He also admitted driving without a licence and with no insurance. Judge Altham disqualified him from driving for 14 years and five months. In an emotional tribute in April, Ryan's family described the 14-year-old boy as 'precious', adding 'there is no one like our Ryan, such a beautiful soul and so far from typical'. They added: 'Words can't express how much we have loved and cherished him and how much we always will. The most funny, silly, loving, generous boy, who literally could not stop talking. 'He was always making his little sisters giggle or giving them cuddles when they were sad. He made them their bottles and read them stories at bedtime. 'He was such a family lad choosing to stay home with us sometimes when his friends wanted him to go out. 'He tried to put on a laddish attitude but it made us laugh because he was so soft, sensitive, kind and lovely. 'Every time he had pocket money he would go to the shop and buy everyone else treats and forget himself. 'He adored his dad and would stand at the window asking 'when's dad coming back?' every five minutes. 'He would help his dad take off his work boots when his back was gone and ask how his day was. 'They loved playing Fortnite and arguing over who got what loot, watching Liverpool and Blackpool FC together, having wrestling matches and father-son talks about his love life. 'He would cuddle his mum and ask if she was OK when she looked stressed saying, "Oh mum, I don't know how you cope with these kids, they're such hard work!" 'He would follow mum around the kitchen when she was trying to do jobs showing her silly videos on YouTube and telling her about every little detail of his day. 'He welcomed so many people into our family life, most of all his big sister Cat who he was so close to. 'Telling tales on her, winding her up, begging her to go to the shop, play Xbox or cards with him, and most importantly having a friend to talk to about everything. 'Our home and our family will be so empty and quiet without him (singing Blackpool FC chants all day and night, making annoying noises to wind us up, or his new craze gangsta rapping). 'We wanted to see him grow and be the beautiful father and loving husband we knew he would have been. 'All we know is that he is in the arms of our saviour Jesus Christ and he is safe with Him now. We will see him again one day and be able to hold him ourselves. 'We will be waiting and longing to see him, every day and every moment until then.' His mum Kim added: 'Ryan Liam was the most perfect precious little boy you would ever see, and he grew to be more beautiful every day. 'He was the most amazing son and brother to Primrose and Summer and we will miss him as long as we live. 'Our hearts have a hole that will never heal, and we can't express enough the devastation this has caused our family. 'We are eternally heartbroken. RIP our perfect beautiful Ryan Liam.'
