Heartbroken mother reveals her agony at losing son after his cocaine-fuelled father killed him in car crash

By ANN CUSACK[1]

Published: 17:01, 5 September 2025 | Updated: 17:34, 5 September 2025

A heartbroken mother who lost her teenage son after his father crashed a van during a cocaine-induced seizure is calling for stricter laws regarding killer drivers.

Ryan-Liam Morgan was only 14 years old when his dad got into an accident while high on drugs after ignoring orders not to drive due to his epilepsy - taking his life in the process.

Tragically in the moments before his death, he tried to grab the wheel and take control.

And his mother Kim, 38, from Cumbria is still grieving her 'lovely boy' who 'had dreams of becoming a policeman'.

While Daniel Burba, 32, was jailed for 10 years earlier this month, she was horrified to learn he could be eligible for release in six and a half years and may be allowed behind the wheel once again.

Hoping to introduce 'Ryan's Law', Kim said that while 'nothing will bring her son back, she hopes she can save other lives in his memory'.

The teen's parents first met 16 years ago at a party in Lancaster - but eventually split up.

'He seemed nice at first but was known for having a temper. We hadn't been together long when I fell pregnant,' Kim recounted.

Ryan-Liam Morgan was only 14 years old when his dad got into an accident while high on drugs - taking his life in the process

While Daniel Burba, 32, (pictured) was jailed for 10 years earlier this month, she was horrified to learn he could be eligible for release in six and a half years and may be allowed behind the wheel once again

'It was a big surprise but I was over the moon. Daniel seemed happy but after Ryan was born, he changed his mind and didn't want the responsibility.

'We didn't live together and Daniel saw Ryan once or twice a month, usually at his mum's house.'

Kim revealed that her ex had 'no interest in being a dad' and 'just didn't care'. 'He didn't help me financially and instead spent his money on partying,' she continued.

'I knew he was using drugs, and I didn't want him around Ryan so I ended it.'

The mother, who also went on two have two daughters, described Ryan as a 'typical little boy' who 'loved football and was a big Liverpool FC fan'.

'He liked cars, his favourites were BMW's,' she recalled. 'He was a great dancer, he won competitions for street dance.'

Ryan was 'very affectionate' and 'loved a cuddle'.

'He was protective and gentle with his little sisters,' Kim added. 'He saw his dad on and off because we stayed in touch with Daniel's mum and other family members, who always made a fuss of Ryan and welcomed us.'

The mother, who also went on two have two daughters, described Ryan as a 'typical little boy' who 'loved football and was a big Liverpool FC fan'

His mother Kim, 38, from Cumbria is still grieving her 'lovely boy' who 'had dreams of becoming a policeman'

In early 2020, Daniel invited his son to spend the weekend.

While Kim was wary, she didn't think he would do anything to put his son at risk.

'By now, he'd married and settled down, and I thought he would be mature, and it might be good for Ryan to get to know him,' she continued.

A few weeks later, Ryan was with his father when the Covid lockdown began - and Kim was told she couldn't pick her son up.

She had sent some money over and spoke to Ryan over the phone but the restrictions 'dragged on'.

'Daniel started saying I wasn't allowed to talk to Ryan,' Kim shared. 'He didn't want to see me, and I should leave them alone.

'I was frantic. There was nothing I could do until after lockdown and then I made an application through the courts which took ages because of the backlog.

'By the time my case was heard Ryan had been with Daniel over a year and had apparently told social workers he wanted to stay there. I was distraught.

'I didn't think Daniel was the right person to bring him up.

Ryan was 10 years old, very impressionable, and I worried Daniel was manipulating him and lying to him.'

Early in 2025, Kim heard from a relative that Ryan was making plans to return home to her, which 'gave her hope'. Pictured with a photo of her late son

As part of her Ryan's Law campaign, Kim is calling for assurance that killer drivers are never allowed behind the wheel of a car again

The court was also told how Ryan had 'died in terror' as he tried to take the wheel in the final moments of his life

For the next four years, Kim was in and out of court, trying to persuade Daniel to let her see her son - admitting it was 'heartbreaking'.

'I missed him so much, and his sisters missed him too,' she shared. 'I didn't even know where they lived, they moved around a lot and Ryan was always moving schools.

'I got a report from a school in Blackpool, and I didn't even know he was living there.

Daniel didn't allow Ryan on social media and wouldn't let me have his mobile number so I had no direct contact.

'I kept sending money and cards, but I don't know if he ever got them. I used to walk around the town centre, hoping to see him. It was very hard.'

Early in 2025, Kim heard from a relative that Ryan was making plans to return home to her, which 'gave her hope'.

'He was 14 and maybe starting to question some of the things Daniel was telling him,' she added.

'Before Easter, I contacted Daniel and asked for an address to send some money to Ryan.

I felt more positive than I had for ages.'

But on the Sunday afternoon, she received the tragic news that Ryan was dead.

Kim, pictured with Ryan as a baby, said she'd 'like for him to be remembered with love, and if we can change the law in his name, I think he'd be proud'

Hoping to introduce 'Ryan's Law', Kim said that while 'nothing will bring her son back, she hopes she can save other lives in his memory'. Ryan pictured as a baby

'I had seen a news update that there was a serious accident on the motorway.

Two police officers came to say Ryan had been killed on the M6 when the van he was in left the road and hit a tree. I was shell-shocked, I just couldn't take it in,' Kim said.

'I was pleading to see him but had to wait days because of the investigation. I was told Daniel had been driving and he was in hospital but at that point, I thought it was an accident.'

Three days later, Kim received a call from Daniel in which he insisted the collision was not his fault.

He was arrested minutes later and appeared before Preston crown Court earlier this month, charged with causing death by dangerous driving, death by driving a vehicle while unlicensed, death by driving a vehicle whilst uninsured and drug driving.

The court heard that weeks before the fatal collision Daniel had been told he was not allowed to drive because of epilepsy.

The condition was made worse by his use of illegal drugs.

He was also four times over the limit for cocaine and its derivative benzoylecgonine, the court heard, and found to amphetamine in his system. Daniel also had no driving licence or insurance.

Burba had suffered an epileptic fit moments before the collision, aggravated by his use of cocaine. The court was also told how Ryan had 'died in terror' as he tried to take the wheel in the final moments of his life.

Burba was jailed for 10 years and banned from driving for 14 years and five months.

He was told he must take an extended re-test if he ever wants to get behind the wheel again.

Jailing Burba, Preston Crown Court Judge Robert Altham told him he had made a 'deliberate decision' to drive and 'disregarded the lives of others'.

'There were so many reasons he should not have been driving that day, but he ignored them all,' Kim added.

'It breaks my heart to think how frightened Ryan must have been in the crash. I wish so much I could have told him I loved him; I hope he knew how much I missed him every day.

'Daniel lied and manipulated to keep us apart in those final few years and now we will be apart forever. As Ryan's dad, he should have looked after him, and instead, he took his life.

I can never forgive that.'

As part of her Ryan's Law campaign, Kim is calling for assurance that killer drivers are never allowed behind the wheel of a car again.

'I'd like Ryan to be remembered with love, and if we can change the law in his name, I think he'd be proud,' she said.

'Daniel had no driving licence, no insurance, he was high on drugs and yet he drove on the motorway with my son. Ryan must have been so scared, trying to save their lives.

'Nothing will bring him back but I want to the law to change to protect others. I recently applied for permission to appeal the sentence, but that was turned down.

It beggars belief that six years in prison and a driving test is an appropriate punishment.

'Nothing will bring my son back, but I hope I can save other lives in his memory.'

References

1. ^ ANN CUSACK (www.dailymail.co.uk)