Man drove for miles along M1 motorway after car lost wheel in crash

A man has been sentenced after driving a car down the M1 motorway[1] with a missing wheel after hitting a central reservation[2]. Omar Makhluf, 20, of Keel Close, Barking, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving[3]. He also pleaded guilty to one count of driving while unfit through drugs at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday 6 February.

The incident was captured by motorway[4] cameras at about 3.30pm on 16 February 2025 on the northbound carriageway between junction 12 at Toddington, Bedfordshire and junction 14 at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire. Makhluf continued his journey for several miles after the collision and was later pictured getting out of the car at a service station, Thames Valley Police[5] said. Nobody was injured in the incident.

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Omar Makhluf, 20, of Keel Close, Barking, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and one count of driving whilst unfit through drugs (Thames Valley Police)

He was arrested on the same day and charged on 13 August 2025.

Makhluf was sentenced to 22 months in total and disqualified from driving for four years and 336 days for this offence and other driving offences elsewhere in the country. James Holmes, investigating officer of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "This incident on the M1 could easily have had far more serious consequences, and we are thankful that no one was injured.

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Omar Makhluf was disqualified from driving over the incident (Thames Valley Police)

"Makhluf has now admitted his actions in court and has been sentenced. Dangerous driving puts lives at risk, and we remain committed to keeping our roads safe.

We encourage everyone to drive responsibly and safely."

Thames Valley Police[6] said: "If you damage your vehicle while driving on a motorway, pull over to the side and alert police as soon as it is safe to do so."

References

1. ^ motorway (www.independent.co.uk)
2. ^ 'I didn't do dangerous driving', man who drove Mercedes with three wheels down M1 tells police (www.independent.co.uk)
3. ^ Lorry carrying GBP40k of stolen tyres smashes into police during motorway chase (www.independent.co.uk)
4. ^ motorway (www.independent.co.uk)
5. ^ Thames Valley Police (www.independent.co.uk)
6. ^ Thames Valley Police (www.independent.co.uk)