My son, 14, was killed in a horror crash on the M6 caused by his dad and now I am determined to get justice
The heartbroken mum of a teenage boy killed after his dad caused a motorway crash while high on cocaine has demanded tougher sentences.
Kim Morgan, who is originally from Lancaster, but now lives in Kendal, has said her family has been left in a pit of grief ever since her son’s death on Easter Sunday last year.
14-year-old Ryan Liam Morgan from Morecambe, who was a passenger in a van driven by his dad, suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday, April 20, after the Peugeot van in which he was a passenger left the M6 southbound carriageway between junctions 34 and 33 and crashed into a tree.
Ryan’s dad Daniel Burba, who had never passed a driving test, suffered an epileptic fit behind the wheel and it later emerged the 31-year-old had ignored warnings by doctors not to drive due to his risk of seizures.
Burba, of Arnside Crescent, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to causing death while uninsured and driving without a license.
He was told he must serve at least two-thirds of a 10-year prison sentence and has been disqualified from driving for 14 years and five months and also told he must take an extended re-test if he ever wants to get behind the wheel again.
This Christmas serving even more of a reminder of the family’s loss, Kim is now calling for new legislation, to be known as Ryan's Law, to increase the minimum sentences of offenders convicted of killing somebody while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
@ryan_summer_primrose Appeal for signatures for Ryan’s petition, justice for Ryan Morgan ❤️#ryanmorgan ♬ original sound - Kim Morgan
Addressing the camera on TikTok, a tearful Kim said: “When Daniel was sentenced, he was given ten tears but I've been told that he'll be out in six years on parole, which is nothing. It's no justice for Ryan at all.
“Ryan would have been 20 when Daniel's walking around, starting again.
“I have tried to appeal this sentence, but they said it was the maximum by law that Daniel could get in this country so that's all he's getting.”
She added: “The only way to get Ryan justice is to get the law changed, which is why I'm doing a petition to get higher sentences and a permanent driving ban for anyone who causes death by dangerous driving due to drugs alcohol, uninsured or unlicensed.It will be called Ryan Liam's Law.
“I need 10,000 signatures for a government response and 100,000 to get through to Parliament.”
The online petition which has so far amassed over 3,000 signatures, needs 10,000 before it is acknowledged by the government and 100,000 to be considered for debate in Parliament.
“Every day is so hard and we just miss him so much and the thought that we are never gonna see him again it's just too much. He deserves to be here. He was 14. He didn't even have a life. So, please please keep sharing and getting this message out for us.”
If you would like to sign the petition click here