Man driving wrong way along M1 to escape police dies in collision

A man who drove the wrong way along a motorway in West Yorkshire as he tried to escape police died when he crashed into a van.

The 26-year-old suffered fatal injuries in the collision on a slip road connecting the M1 and the M62 at junction 29 near Leeds in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police began trailing his Nissan Micra on Hunslet Road, Leeds, after it failed to stop for officers at about 4.30am.

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A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Officers followed and attempted to stop the car for a short time, before it entered an exit slip road from the M1 at Leeds, travelling south on the northbound carrigeway.

“Officers abandoned following the car at this point for safety reasons.

“A few minutes later, the car, still travelling against traffic, was in collision with a van on the M62 eastbound entry slip road to the M1.”

The Micra driver died at the scene. The van driver – understood to be driving a newspaper delivery van – did not suffer any serious injuries.

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Police have not confirmed why they attempted to stop the car initially.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because the death occurred following police involvement.

The incident caused major delays as the slip road from the M62 eastbound onto the M1 northbound was closed for much of the day while investigations were carried out.

The West Yorkshire Police major collision enquiry team is appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information should call 101.