GUILTY: 16-year-old sentenced after motorway collision killing PHV driver and two others

Image credit: West Yorkshire Police

A 16-year-old has been sentenced after pleading guilty to causing the deaths of three people in a fatal motorway collision, one of which was a private hire driver.

Jack Simpson, 16 was sentenced to 6 years, 3 in custody and 3 on licence at Bradford Crown Court on 30 August for three offences of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of dangerous driving following a collision on the M606 in Bradford on Monday 13 June.

Simpson had been driving a Ford Transit van on Bradford Road in the vicinity of Moorlands Road, Birkenshaw shortly before it was involved in a head on collision with a taxi at 10.45pm on 13 June.

The private hire vehicle driver, Sohail Ali (28) and passenger Simon McHugh (49) died at the scene.

A passenger in the ford transit van Kyden Leadbeater (18) died in hospital.

West Yorkshire Police referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct who are looking into the short police pursuit of a Ford Transit van prior to the collision.

Detective Inspector Paul Conroy of the Major Collision Enquiry Team said: “This has been a tragic incident on our roads and we welcome Simpson admitting causing death by dangerous driving and facing the consequences of his actions.

“The recklessness of Simpson shows the deadly cost of dangerous driving, he has shown no regards for other road users or his passengers.

“Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this awful road traffic collision.”