Crash driver died after wandering back onto M1 where he was hit by another vehicle

A driver whose car crashed off the M1 in the early hours of Sunday morning died after wandering back onto the carriageway where he was hit by another vehicle, police believe.

The tragic collision took place shortly after 1am between junctions 21 and 20 and saw the southbound carriageway closed for around nine hours.

Leicestershire Police received a report just before 1.15am that a vehicle had left the carriageway between the two junctions.

Shortly after that incident the driver, now understood to be on foot, was involved in a collision with a vehicle on the carriageway.

Police say the circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated and officers are in the very early stages of their enquiries.

The M1 southbound was closed while officers dealt with the incident and was only reopened at 10.30 this morning.

Diversions were put in place while investigations were carried out at the scene and vehicles recovered.

Motorists heading south faced a long detour via the M69 to its junction with the A5 at Hinckley, to the Cross-in-Hand roundabout south of Magna Park, Lutterworth, before rejoining the M1 at junction 20.

A rolling road block was used by Highways England traffic officers to get traffic moving again once the scene was cleared.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers are appealing for public help after a fatal collision on the southbound carriageway of the M1 during the early hours of this morning (Sunday 9 September).

“A report was received just before 1.15am that a vehicle left the carriageway between junctions 20 and 21.

“Shortly afterwards the driver was involved in a collision with a vehicle on the carriageway.

He was taken to hospital where he subsequently died.”

She added: “The M1 southbound was closed while officers dealt with the incident and was re-opened at 10.30 this morning.

“The circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated and officers are in the very early stages of their enquiries.

“However, they would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any part of the collision. They would especially like drivers who have dashcam footage and may have captured the incident to get in touch as they may be able to help with the investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 4484 Alison Briance on 101, quoting incident number 48 of 9 September.