Woman due in court after man killed in crash that shut M27 for more than a day
The horror incident involved a Mercedes lorry, Nissan Juke and Volkswagen Polo just after 12.30pm on February 21. The lorry veered off the M27 and hit an overhead gantry plunging Southampton into traffic chaos. Emergency services rushed to the scene but despite paramedics' best efforts the driver of the lorry, 36-year-old Michal Kaminski from Salisbury, Wiltshire, died at the scene.
The Polish-born driver was on his way to deliver flooring[1] to customers on the South Coast, his colleague previously told the Echo.M27 following the crash on February 21 (Image: Newsquest)At the time, officers arrested [2]a 40-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man from Littlehampton on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The man has been bailed until August 21, while the woman has been released under investigation. She has been summonsed to appear at Southampton[3] Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 25 to face an allegation of failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
A third man, a 32-year-old from Yapton, Arundel, was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and of drink driving. He has also been released under investigation. Lorry involved in serious crash on M27 bursts into flames hours after crash[5]
Emotional tribute to 'caring' lorry driver who died in horrific crash on M27[6] Following the tragic collision, the westbound carriageway of the motorway was closed well into rush hour between junction seven in Hedge End and junction five for Southampton Airport. Several hours after this the lorry went up in flames[7] causing damage to the gantry.
Lorry on fire following M27 crash (Image: Submitted) Photos shared on social media showed a black car with the front end crumpled up and the lorry wrapped around the gantry, having crashed through the barriers at the side of the road. Following this, tributes were paid to crash victim Michal whose dream it was to be a lorry driver.
Michal Kaminski from Salisbury (Image: Supplied) Michal's colleague, Lawrence Bryan, told the Echo: "He went off with a massive smile. That morning when he left and he jumped in the lorry, it was something he had wanted to do for a couple of years."
In an emotional tribute, his family said: "You will always be in our hearts and we will always remember you smiling.
"Loving family and friends."
A fundraiser was launched to help the family with funeral costs which has raised over GBP16,000 so far.
References
- ^ was on his way to deliver flooring (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ arrested (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Southampton (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Everything we know after man dies in M27 lorry crash (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Lorry involved in serious crash on M27 bursts into flames hours after crash (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Emotional tribute to 'caring' lorry driver who died in horrific crash on M27 (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ went up in flames (www.dailyecho.co.uk)