Driver who admitted causing four deaths in M25 collision is jailed for three years

A lorry driver who caused an M25 fatal collision in which four people died, has been jailed for three years today.

Ethan Burdett of Ipswich Haven Marina, Ipswich, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 4 July where he was jailed for three years for four counts of causing death by careless driving following a 2021 fatal collision in which four people died. Furthermore, Burdett was disqualified from driving for four-and-a-half years and will be required to undertake a retest.

Sixty-seven-year-old Burdett pleaded guilty at a hearing at the same court on Tuesday 16 April.

A driver who crashed his lorry into the rear of a minibus has admitted causing the deaths of four people. 

Ethan Burdett, 67, of Ipswich Haven Marina, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to causing the death of four people due to careless driving when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday 16 April.

Roads Policing officers were called to the M25 in Waltham Abbey shortly after 6.15pm on 23 August 2021, following reports a lorry had collided with a minibus.

An investigation by our Serious Collision Investigation Unit established Ethan Burdett had been travelling between junction 27 to junction 26.

As he approached the exit slip road to junction 26, he failed to react to stationary traffic queuing in lane 1 and collided with the rear of the minibus which shunted forward and struck a car.

When officers arrived, they saw that the minibus and lorry both had sustained substantial damage.

Of the 11 passengers in the minibus - who were returning to London following a day trip to Southend - four passengers were seriously injured; three additional passengers and the driver of the car all sustained minor injuries.

Sadly, 31-year-old Abigael Muamba, from Edmonton Green, 60-year-old Dexter Augustus, from Waltham Forest, and 59-year-old Jennifer Smith, from Stratford, all died in the collision.

Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, later died of her injuries.

The anti-clockwise section of the M25 was closed for 11-and-a-half hours.

'Our thoughts remain with their loved ones'

Roads Policing officer Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, who led the investigation said:

“My thoughts, and those of all my officers who have been involved in the investigation, continue to be with the families and friends who lost their loved ones that evening.”

Following the conviction, Ethan Burdett will be sentenced at the same court on Thursday 4 July.

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More than ever, irresponsible, dangerous and illegal road behaviour is being recorded by road users. Through Extra Eyes this footage can be sent to, and reviewed by, an investigator within Road Policing at Essex Police.

Find out how by visiting Safer Essex Roads Partnership website.