Lorry driver pleads guilty to dangerous driving in fatal M1 collision near Luton which killed 19-year-old

Wojciech Bukowski from Poland appeared via video-link at Luton Crown Court on Monday, May 11, and pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The incident happened at around 3.15pm on Sunday, December 1 last year, when Bukowski’s heavy goods vehicle struck a blue Kia Sedona people carrier on the southbound carriageway at junction 11a.

The Kia Sedona was carrying five students from Middlesex University and had pulled over to the inside lane while experiencing mechanical difficulties.

Emergency services attended, but Zahid Ahmed, 19, who was sat in the nearside rear passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Four of the other passengers were left with serious injuries and the driver had minor injuries.

Mr Bukowski suffered no injuries in the collision. He will be sentenced on June 1.

DC Ben Amondsen, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts road policing unit, said: “I am glad that Bukowski has pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving as this saves the family of the victim and the other people who were injured from going through the stress of a trial.

“This case stresses the importance of paying due care and attention whilst driving.

"Fatal collisions, such as this, can be easily prevented.

"Careless driving, is one of the five fatal behaviours, along with drink and drug driving, being on a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt and speeding, that are the biggest causes of deaths on our roads.

“Unfortunately, Bukowski’s careless actions that day resulted in a young man losing his life, as well the life-changing impact the collision has had on the other people involved.”