Dangerous Driver Jailed for 18 Years After Deadly M25 Smash
A reckless driver who sparked a horrific crash on the M25, killing a mother-of-eight and a young man, has been slammed with an 18-year prison sentence.
Fatal Crash Details
Barancan Nurcin, 22, was behind the wheel of a white Citroen Dispatch van when he smashed into three other vehicles on Sunday, February 4. The collision involved a silver DFSK 580 Glory, a silver Skoda Superb, and a black Peugeot 5008 between junctions 22 and 21A of the busy motorway.
The victims were Zoe Hawes, 39, from Canvey, and Fahad Dek, 23, from Enfield. Mrs Hawes, a devoted mum to eight children and step-children, was on her way to celebrate her 40th birthday with her husband, Wayne, when tragedy struck. Mr Dek was a passenger in Nurcin’s van.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
Nurcin faced St Albans Crown Court on March 26 and admitted to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He also copped to driving without a licence or insurance.
Today, the court handed down an 18-year sentence for each of the two death charges, to run concurrently alongside other lesser sentences. Nurcin showed no emotion as he was sentenced and will serve up to two-thirds of his term behind bars, with the rest on licence.
Family Mourn and Victims Speak Out
“I remember screaming and falling to the floor. You have no idea how much pain you have caused me, my family, and everyone who I love. I will never forgive you for what you have done to our family. You can never do long enough in prison,”
— Mrs Hawes’s heartbroken daughter
Wayne Hawes, who survived but suffered life-altering injuries including a brain bleed, neck, hip, rib and leg damage, plus lost vision in one eye, shared a heartfelt moment from hospital. His sister recalled how, when Wayne woke, he wrote the letter “Z” asking after his wife. “Tears began to roll down Mr Hawes’s face. I knew I had broken his heart,” she said.
Defence Claims and Court Reaction
Nurcin’s barrister, Edward McKiernan, said his client pleaded guilty without delay and cited Nurcin’s youth and inexperience as mitigating factors. He also revealed Nurcin sustained a serious pelvic injury in the crash.
