Barancan Nurcin, a 22-year-old from Tottenham, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a fatal collision on the M25 between St Albans and Watford.

The crash, which occurred on Sunday, February 4th between junctions 22 (London Colney) and 21A (North Orbital Road/St Albans), involved a white Citroen Dispatch van driven by Nurcin, a silver DFSK 580 Glory, a silver Skoda Superb, and a black Peugeot 5008.

On Tuesday at St Albans Crown Court, Nurcin admitted guilt to several serious offences, including:

Causing death by dangerous driving (x2)
Causing serious injury by dangerous driving (x2)
Causing death whilst unlicensed (x2)
Causing death whilst uninsured (x2)

The incident tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals: 39-year-old Zoe Hawes from Essex and 23-year-old Fahad Dek from Enfield.

Ms. Zoe Hawes from Canvey Island in Essex, was reportedly on her way for a vacation to celebrate her 40th birthday, while Mr. Dek was a passenger in the van driven by Nurcin.pen_spark.

Hertfordshire Police said officers had pursued the van before the crash but stopped because the risk was too high. The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The circumstances leading up to the collision are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). This independent body is probing whether police actions in the moments before the crash may have played a role.

Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, from Essex Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families. They have been through an unimaginable ordeal and we continue to provide them with any support they require. Nurcin caused the loss of two lives on that day but he has broken many more lives by his actions. He can expect to spend a significant length of time behind bars.”

Nurcin will be sentenced on Friday 31 May.

The criminal investigation was led by Essex Police.