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Work by Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit has helped secure what is believed to be the longest sentence imposed for death by dangerous driving.
The officers led the investigation into a collision where a stolen van being driven the wrong way on the M25 collided with another car causing the death of two people, (including a woman from Essex) and seriously injuring four others.
Barancan Nurcin, 22, of High Road, Tottenham, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 21 June where he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
It is believed to be the longest sentence that has ever been imposed for death by dangerous driving.
On Tuesday 26 March, he had pleaded guilty to the following offences:
The collision occurred on Sunday 4 February between junctions 22 (London Colney) and 21A (North Orbital Road/St Albans).
Zoe Hawes, 39 from Canvey Island, and Fahad Dek, 23 from Enfield, both lost their lives.
Zoe had been travelling to Luton Airport to go on holiday for her 40th birthday. Fahad had been a passenger in Nurcin’s vehicle.
Four other people were also seriously injured, including Zoe’s husband.
At around 3.40am, police received information regarding a white Citroen Dispatch van, had been reported stolen from the Greater Manchester area.
Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit (RPU) were dispatched to search for the van and at 3.53am, it was located at junction 6a on the M1 travelling southbound. The van failed to stop and a police pursuit was authorised.
A few minutes later, the van dangerously took an emergency access road off the main carriageway. It then entered another carriageway, heading back on the motorway – this time travelling towards oncoming traffic. As a result, the pursuit was aborted for public safety.
The van was then spotted by officers in Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, where it again failed to stop for officers.
A short time later the van was seen by police travelling on the wrong side of the M25. Officers followed it along the correct side of the road.
At around 4.08am, the van collided with a car in which Zoe Hawes was a passenger and she sadly died at the scene. Her husband sustained broken bones all over his body, severe damage to his face and bleeding to the brain.
He was placed in a medically induced coma. He suffered memory loss due to sedatives he was given and this meant he had to be repeatedly told that his beloved wife had died.
Two other vehicles collided with debris.
In one were another couple, also on their way for a holiday. The couple were being driven by their friend to Heathrow Airport where they should have been jetting off to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. All three sustained injuries that they are yet to recover from.
In the other car the two occupants both sustained bruising and other injuries.
Nurcin made off from the scene, leaving behind his friend Fahad Dek, who died in the passenger seat.
Officers located Nurcin nearby and he was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He was then arrested at hospital before being taken into custody.
It quickly emerged that his driving licence had already been revoked and he had no authority to drive any vehicle.
Nurcin's driving licence had been revoked in 2021 when he was caught driving under the influence of cannabis. He was eligible to re-apply for his licence the next year, however, the DVLA was notified of a health issue relating to his heavy cannabis use.
Detective Inspector Mark Fraser from Essex Police SCIU, who led the investigation, said:
“My thoughts are very much with the loved ones of the victims who lost their lives in this horrific collision.
"Nothing can bring them back, but I hope this sentence helps their loved ones as they come to terms with their unimaginable loss.
"I also hope it offers a stark warning to anyone who thinks they can drive the wrong way on the motorways or other roads, endangering innocent people’s lives.
"If you drive in this way you will be brought before the courts and you can expect to face a severe sentence.”
The circumstances leading up to the collision are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct which is routine in matters like this.
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