Truck driver performing sex act behind wheel killed gran in crash
Coburn's vehicle veered across the road and hit a car while he was on his phone performing a sex act
08:29, 14 Oct 2025Updated 08:30, 14 Oct 2025
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Daniel Barry Coburn
A truck driver who was engaging in sex acts behind the wheel has been jailed after he killed a grandmother when his vehicle veered across the road. Daniel Barry[1] Coburn, 49, was driving a white Ford Transit when it veered onto the wrong side of the road on August 5, 2023.
It collided with a red Kia Picanto being driven by Bethan Fraser-Andrews, 81, who died at the scene on the A120 near Standon Hill, Herts. Coburn, from Chelmsford, Essex, was found to have been using his phone to engage in sexual acts and conversations while driving.
He was also over the limit for alcohol, cocaine and MDMA.
Coburn initially pleaded not guilty but at a later case management hearing he changed his plea to guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced to nine years and seven months' imprisonment at St Albans Crown Court on September 29. Coburn also received a 13-year and four-month ban from driving with a mandatory extended re-test.
Judge Sheridan told the court that this was one of the "worst cases of dangerous driving he had seen". He said: "I sit here today looking at three heartbroken children who should never have to have suffered the loss of their mother.
"You should never have been behind the wheel of any vehicle, let alone a commercial vehicle while intoxicated through alcohol and drugs."
Detective Constable Dale Morris, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Coburn's selfish and dangerous actions have torn a mother and grandmother away from her family.
On the day of the collision Bethan was on her way to meet her family for a belated celebration.
"Coburn's driving was highly dangerous, and it was evident he had no thought or consideration for anyone around him."
Elisabeth, Bethan's daughter said: "We are still coming to terms with the fact that she is gone.
She was very active, and she had many varied interests, she played tennis the day before she died, she walked, went bird spotting, enjoyed painting and sang in local choirs.
Article continues below"Her calendar when she died was full of things she was looking forward to including a tennis tournament and looking after our dogs."
James, Bethan's son, said: "Mum was devoted to her family, and we were devoted to her.
She was killed on her way to do what she did best.
"To be a loving mother and grandmother, to spend time with those she loved and who now will never enjoy her uniquely funny insights, her laughter and her energetic zest for life that was undimmed even at 81 years of age."