Man hurt in wrong-way M1 crash near Wakefield

A man in his 20s suffered potentially life-changing injuries after his car was struck by a vehicle driving the wrong way on the M1 motorway near Wakefield, West Yorkshire Police said. The collision occurred just after 11 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, on the northbound carriageway near junction 41. Police reported that a blue Kia Proceed failed to stop for officers and was driven the wrong way against traffic, where it collided with a red Dacia Sandero. The driver of the Dacia was taken to the hospital with serious injuries described as potentially life-changing. Three people from the Kia have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving: a 30-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and a 15-year-old girl. The 30-year-old woman was further arrested for being over the prescribed limit. All three remain in custody. One person fled the scene of the collision. Three other passengers in the Kia are believed to have sustained minor injuries. The incident led to the closure of the northbound carriageway overnight. National Highways confirmed the road was fully reopened in both directions by approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday, September 12.