The father of a teenage boy who was killed in a road crash has been jailed for 10 years for causing his death by dangerous driving.
Daniel Burba, 31, of Arnside Crescent in Morecambe, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday.
Ryan Liam Morgan died after a Peugeot Bipper van left the carriageway between junctions 34 and 33 southbound near to university hill in Lancaster and crashed into a tree on Easter Sunday.
Ryan, 14, who was in the front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Burba (below) was also disqualified from driving for 14 years and five months, and sentenced to 21 weeks for causing death whilst driving whilst uninsured, and a further 21 weeks for causing death whilst driving without a licence, which will run concurrent.
He was also told he must take an extended re-test if he ever wants to get behind the wheel again.
"Burba should not have been driving the Bipper for many reasons," said a spokesperson for Lancashire Police, following the sentencing.
"Weeks before the fatal collision he had been told he was not allowed to drive because of a medical condition, having been diagnosed with epilepsy. This condition was made worse by the use of illegal drugs.
"However, Burba was found to be four times over the limit for cocaine and its derivative benzoylecgonine. He was also found to have traces of amphetamine in his system.
"Burba had suffered an epileptic fit moments before the collision, aggravated by his use of cocaine.
"Burba only holds a provisional driving licence and was also not insured to drive the Bipper.
"Other motorists described the Bipper to be driving with its hazard lights flashing and in an ‘erratic manner’ and in excess of the 70mph speed limit. This led to a subsequent loss of control where the Bipper sharply veered to the left, leaving the carriageway to the nearside and up the grass embankment where it struck a tree.
"The force of the collision caused the vehicle to roll over.
"Ryan was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, with a Home Office Post Mortem examination concluding that he died as a result of head injuries.
"Burba was taken to hospital but was discharged later in the week, and subsequently arrested upon his release from hospital."
In a victim impact statement to the court, Ryan’s mum said: “My heart is broken and I don’t see it healing.
"I haven’t grieved properly because I feel if I start to let myself go, I’ll never stop, so even though I’m struggling daily, I’m also trying to be strong for my two daughters.
"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.”
Sgt Martin Wilcock, Senior Investigating Officer at the Lancashire 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.
“This was a major incident that resulted in the closure of the motorway for a significant period of time. We know there was some frustration at the time, but we hope the public understand that the carriageway needed to be closed to facilitate the investigation work that resulted in this conviction and significant sentence.”
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