M1 accident: Arrests after car seen driving wrong way on M1 before major crash - with man ‘seriously injured’
Three people have been arrested - including a 15-year-old girl.
A man has been left with “potentially life-changing” injuries after his vehicle was hit by a car driving the wrong way on the M1.
The major incident caused the motorway to be shut overnight near Wakefield. Emergency services rushed to the scene and the road only reopened around 7am today (September 12).
West Yorkshire Police has said that a blue Kia Proceed was being driven the wrong way up the carriageway before it collided with a red Dacia Sandero. Three people have been arrested, including a 15-year-old girl.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision on the M1 near Wakefield in which a man suffered serious injuries.
“This collision happened shortly after 11pm yesterday (11 September) on the M1 northbound near junction 41.
“A blue Kia Proceed was driven the wrong way up the carriageway after failing to stop for police and collided with a red Dacia Sandero.
“The driver of the Dacia, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are being treated as potentially life changing.
“One person left the scene. Three passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
“A man, aged 18, and two women aged 15 and 30 have been arrested for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and remain in custody while enquiries are ongoing. The 30 year old woman was further arrested for being over the prescribed limit.”
In an initial warning on social media, National Highways: Yorkshire wrote at 11.59pm on Friday (September 11): “The M1 is closed northbound between J39 and J41 near #Wakefield due to a serious collision.
“Traffic is currently stopped on the southbound carriageway between J41 and J40. Emergency services are on scene.
“There are delays of 20 minutes on the approach in both directions.”
The most recent update came at 7am this morning. The traffic agency’s account tweeted: “Update 4: M1 northbound J40 and J41 near Wakefield
“Both carriageways are now open. Recovery has been completed. There are no significant delays on the approach.”
Accident investigations were taking place overnight.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, including anyone who may have dashcam or other video footage of the incident, is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit by calling 101 or go online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat quoting reference 13260519370.
Information can also be provided to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.