Drivers charged over M62 crash that killed Bethany Jones

A driver from a Batley coach firm is among two men who have been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the M62 crash that killed Bethany Jones.
SADLY MISSED Bethany JonesSADLY MISSED Bethany Jones
SADLY MISSED Bethany Jones

James Johnson, 62, from Wyke, Bradford, and Kevin Ollerhead, 44, from St Helens in Merseyside, were charged by officers investigating the April 26 incident on Tuesday.

Beth, 18, of South Elmsall, died when the minibus she was travelling in and a lorry were involved in a collision on the M62 at junction 32 at Pontefract.

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Johnson, who was working for Batley coach firm Prestige 2000, was the driver of the minibus and Ollerhead was the driver of the lorry.

The two men have both been bailed to appear before Wakefield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 20.

Beth’s family paid tribute to the teenager after the crash.

In a statement, they said: “Beth was a fun and bubbly girl who was caring and considerate to everyone she met.

“She was the apple of her grandad’s eye and she will never be forgotten and sadly missed by everyone.”

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West Yorkshire Police, fire fighters, ambulance and air ambulance services, Wakefield Council and the Highways Agency were involved in the response to the crash and a total of 21 passengers were admitted to hospitals around the county. Several are still recovering from their injuries.