Drug driver who ‘ploughed through M6 cones’ killing worker is jailed

A driver who had taken amphetamines and hit speeds of 120mph before ploughing into a stationary highways worker on the M6 - causing his death - has been jailed. Denis Balaz, 29, crashed into transport safety officer Kevin Jarvis, 57, who was sat inside a Ford Focus on an access slip road, on the northbound carriageway at Yarnfield, between Junction 14, Stafford[1], and Junction 15, Stoke.

Balaz, a Slovakian national of no fixed address, was behind the wheel of a stolen black Audi A8 and police had been attempting to stop him before the crash, shortly after 5am on February 26 last year. Tragically, Mr Jarvis, a 57-year-old grandad from Cannock[2], died at the scene.

Staffordshire Police[3] say Balaz had 'stabbed' the owner of the Audi before getting behind the wheel. On the motorway, Balaz 'swerved' into a coned off area where Mr Jarvis was parked up with his warning beacons lit on the Ford, said PC James Addison.

The defendant appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday, October 20, where he was jailed for more than nine years. Paying tribute to Mr Jarvis, his wife Julie described him as her 'husband, best friend, my support in every way, a wonderful step-dad and grandad and friend to all, there are no words to describe the pain of losing him'

.Balaz had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, driving a car other than in accordance with a licence, driving with no insurance, theft and wounding with intent - with the latter two offences not connected to the fatal crash. The defendant was also sentenced to three-and-a-half years for the wounding and was handed a 171 month driving ban.

Judge John Edwards also stated that, due to the length of the sentence, Balaz was liable for automatic deportation. More than £14,000 had previously been raised for the family of Mr Jarvis, known as Kev, through an online fundraiser.[6]

PC Addison, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: "The sentence brings to an end what has been a long process for justice for the family of Kevin. Balaz made the decision to stab the owner of the car before driving away in it.

"He had every opportunity to stop the vehicle but instead chose to drive at dangerous speeds before swerving into a coned off area of the motorway where Kevin’s car was parked with its warning beacons lit.

"That decision cost a loving husband and father his life. No sentence will ever be sufficient for the family but I hope that Balaz understands that his actions have consequences, in this case tragic ones."

References

  1. ^ Stafford (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Cannock (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  3. ^ Staffordshire Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  4. ^ Midland couple say overnight stay at beach hotel was 'like a prison' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  5. ^ Get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 for your family day out this autumn (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  6. ^ through an online fundraiser. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)

Tags: