Tributes paid to M1 crash victim aged 21
HE WAS the “happy-golucky” popular lad who lived life to the full.
But now the heartbroken family of husband-tobe James Thomas Wall have spoken of their devastation at his tragic death in a car crash on the M1 near junction 23 at the age of just 21.
James was returning to Newcastle to see his family at lunchtime on January 20 when his recently-bought blue BMW 330 came off the M1 in Leicestershire.
It is believed the 21-year-old lost control of the vehicle on black ice and struck a tree off the motorway near Shepshed.
James was travelling back from visiting Danny Orourke, who family described as his best friend and “brother”, when tragedy struck.
The northbound section of the M1 between junctions 22 and 23 were closed for about six hours after the crash while the cause of the accident was investigated.
Grieving mum Susan has opened up on the despair of losing her beloved son far too soon.
She said: “I wish he was still here, I’m never going to see my lad again.
“It just feels like a bad dream - it’s a nightmare.
“I was at work when I found out, it was just heartbreaking.
“Nothing is going to bring him back - nothing in this world can bring my baby boy back.”
James was due to travel across to Dublin in the coming weeks to set a wedding date with his fiancee Ellen Connors, 18.
Susan, 57, added: “They loved each other and could not wait to get married.”
James was described by loved ones as acting “like a dad” to his nieces Levante, eight, Olivia, six, and twoyear-old nephew Lathan.
Outside of family and the travelling community, the ex-bouncer had a passion for driving cars and working out at the gym.
Susan said: “He was the baby of our family and my only boy. He loved the gym and would go as often as he could.
“James was just a funloving, happy-go-lucky lad. Everybody loved him, he got on with everybody and would do anything for them.”
James leaves behind his mum Susan, dad James, sisters Stacey, 38, JamieLee and Mary, 25, nieces Levante and Olivia, and nephew Lathan.