Family's tribute to 'beloved mum' killed on M25 by dangerous and reckless driver

The daughter of a woman killed in a crash on the M25 has paid tribute to her "beloved mum". Zoe Hawes, 39, was one of two people fatally killed after a van collided with a vehicle on the M25.

Barancan Nurcin, 22, of High Road in Tottenham, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on Friday (June 21) after pleading guilty to several driving offences. The collision occurred on February 4 between J22 and 21A. Zoe, from Essex, was travelling to Luton Airport to go on holiday for her 40th birthday whilst Fahad had been a passenger in Nurcin's vehicle.

In a statement after the sentencing, Zoe's daughter, Bella, said: "We accept the sentence but there's never anything that can fix what has happened to our family. We have lost our sister, the children their beloved mum and Wayne his wife and soul mate."

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They added: "We will continue to work as a family to support Wayne and the children with the new life that they face."

Police were alerted at around 3.40am to a white Citroen van that had been reported stolen from the Greater Manchester area. Officers were dispatched to search for the van and at 3.53am it failed to stop after being located on the M1 heading southbound near to J6.

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 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.

The van collided with the vehicle in which Zoe was a passenger at around 4.08am. She sadly died at the scene whilst 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 vehicle was another couple who were 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 30^th wedding anniversary. All three sustained injuries that they are yet to recover from.

Nurcin made off from the scene, leaving behind his friend Fahad Dek, who was deceased 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 license 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.

In the days after Zoe's death, her family said: "Zoe was the heart of our blended family. She was a role model to everyone and the centre of our family. She was a very much loved mum, step-mum, sister, aunt and lovely young nanna.

"She was a friend to many. She was very much looking to go on holiday to celebrate her 40th with her husband. Sadly a holiday and birthday she didn’t get to celebrate. We are all trying to pull together as a family and are devastated to lose Zoe in this tragic way.

"We wouldn’t have changed her for the world and she leaves an enormous hole in our family that will never be filled. We love you and will miss you forever xx"

Chief Inspector Steve O’Keeffe, from the RPU, said: "Although nothing can make up for the pain Nurcin has caused, I am pleased with today’s result. Nurcin’s actions have had catastrophic consequences causing the deaths of two innocent people.

"Many more lives have also been destroyed through the trauma and heartache he has caused. The impact of this dreadful collision cannot be overstated and my thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones.

"Zoe Hawes was a much-loved mother and grandmother whose life was cruelly cut short because of Nurcin. Zoe’s husband will require intensive therapy for a long period of time to assist with physical movement, communication and cognitive skills. He currently has no sight in one of his eyes.

"Fahad Dek was just twenty-three, with his whole life ahead of him. He was described by his family as a pillar of strength and they dearly miss him. That Nurcin left Fahad in the vehicle, whilst trying to evade officers, speaks volumes of his character.

"Nurcin had plenty of opportunity to safely pull over for police. Instead, he ignored our officers and made the incomprehensible decision to drive towards oncoming traffic, knowingly putting the public at risk. I hope today’s result goes some way in easing the pain of all those affected by the utterly selfish and dangerous actions of Nurcin."

At the time of the incident, Nurcin was serving a suspended 15-month prison sentence in relation to a GBH which occurred in London. The sentence has now been activated.

Nurcin had entered guilty pleas to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of causing death whilst unlicensed and two counts of causing death whilst uninsured.

At the time of the collision, Nurcin was also on bail for a public order offence, which happened in London, and he was given a 5-month sentence which will run concurrently. His term of 18 years imprisonment is the longest sentence that has ever been imposed for death by dangerous driving..

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