Man killed in crash on motorway identified

POLICE have identified a man who died when he drove the wrong way on the M62 in West Yorkshire as a 78-year-old from South Yorkshire.

He was Leslie Lewis, 78, of Doncaster. Police say he had been at Hartshead Moor services when he joined the motorway in the wrong direction and collided with a car near Scammonden early on Saturday March 23. He had earlier been to Hull and Manchester.

Mr Lewis sustained fatal injuries in the collision between junctions 22 and 23 of the M62.

It happened at about 2.06am after his Vauxhall Corsa collided with another car while it was travelling west on the eastbound carriageway.

Specialist officers have been working to piece together Mr Lewis’s journey and have established he drove his car from Doncaster to the Hull area on the Friday evening before then travelling from Hull to Manchester.

He then came back to West Yorkshire on the M62, stopping at Hartshead Moor services. Mr Lewis then resumed his journey but exited from the services onto the wrong side of the carriageway.

The male driver of the other car involved in the collision remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Sgt Steve Suggitt of the Major Collision and Enquiry Team (MCET) said: “A great deal of work remains ongoing to investigate the circumstances of this collision which tragically resulted in Leslie’s death and in another driver receiving serious injuries.

“I am seeking assistance from any member of the public who may know Leslie and had contact with him on Friday March 22, whether in person or by telephone, as it is important we build up a full picture of the circumstances of the incident.

“If anyone has any information about Leslie’s movements that Friday evening, I urge them to contact us at the Major Collision Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police on 101 referencing police number 13240158172.

“Information can also be given online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat.”