Two jailed over crash that killed mum-to-be

TWO MEN who caused the death of a pregnant mother from Bradford in a crash after towing an unroadworthy van for 27 miles have each been jailed for three years and nine months.

Lukasz Orywal, 32, constructed a “makeshift” tow bar and arranged for a friend without a driving licence to travel behind him after buying the van as a “non runner” for just £300, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Eye-witnesses desribed how the Vauxhall Movano van being controlled by convicted burglar Andy Hurns, 28, could be seen swinging from side to side, bumping in to the back of the Chrysler Voyager being driven by Orywal.

As the two vehicles sped down a hill on the A17 at Leadenham, Lincolnshire, at 55mph the tow bar snapped sending Orywal’s car spinning at 45 degrees into the opposite carriageway. It collided with a Volkswagen Passatt driven by lorry driver Kamil Zdeb, 27, who was taking his young family from their home in Bradford to visit friends in Spalding.

His wife, Aneta Zdeb, 26, who was 14 weeks pregnant, suffered traumatic injuries to her liver and heart from the massive impact. She died after being admitted to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Orywal, of Lound near Retford, and Hurns, of Retford, were jailed for three years and nine months for causing death by dangerous driving. Passing sentence Judge Hirst told them: “The driving from both of you was appalling in so many respects.”