The Subaru Forester drove for five miles in the wrong direction before crashing into Stuart Richards’ car, killing the former soldier
Police authorities are considering opening an investigation into how an elderly driver who killed a former soldier while driving the wrong way down the M40 was allowed to get behind the wheel – only five days after being involved in a previous collision.
The couple, both in their 80s, who were driving the Subaru Forester while towing a caravan died in the crash and are yet to be named, but have been identified as part of an earlier accident in High Wycombe by Thames Valley Police.
They have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as part of mandatory procedure.
Thames Valley Police confirmed: “On 10 October this year in High Wycombe, a report of a damage-only road traffic collision involving the Subaru Forester was made to the Force.
“The IOPC will now make a decision as to whether they will carry out an investigation.”
Mr Richards was driving his Ford Mondeo down the correct side of the motorway on Monday, October 15, when it was hit by the Subaru, which also collided with a Ford Focus. In total, three people died at the scene with no further injuries.
The caravan is said to have been driving down the M40 for eight miles, often in the fast lane as cars swerved out the way to avoid the seemingly inevitable crash.
Dash cam footage moments before it happened. Hope this is useful. pic.twitter.com/oknQWBcZj4
— Alex Varga (@AlexVarga_) October 15, 2018
Stockport-born Mr Richards, 32, is understood to have served in the army for nine years, touring Afghanistan, Iraq and Jordan as an engineer and safety officer.
