Lorry driver charged over Pc’s death

A LORRY driver has been charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of a police officer who was hit by a vehicle as he helped a stranded motorist on a motorway hard shoulder.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st May 2012, 07:00 GMT

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said yesterday it had given permission to West Yorkshire Police to charge Andrew Abernethy, 45, from Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Pc Mark Goodlad, 41, died when an orange Scania articulated heavy goods vehicle hit a marked BMW X5 police car and a grey Suzuki Swift on the southbound carriageway of the M1, near Crigglestone, in West Yorkshire, officers said after the tragedy on October 24, last year.

The police car and the Suzuki were both stationary on the hard shoulder.

Pc Goodlad was between the two vehicles, helping the 51-year-old female Suzuki driver. The woman suffered minor injuries in the incident

Abernethy has been bailed and is due to appear before magistrates in Wakefield next month.