Grandmother, 71, killed in M6 crash by van driver who'd taken speed to stay awake

A driver took speed to keep himself awake before he ploughed into a car on the M6, killing a passenger and seriously injuring another.

Marcin Szewczyk, 43, was found to have traces of amphetamine in his system after his Mercedes Sprinter van crashed into the back of a stationary Kia Sportage at 12.31am on 30 October, 2021.

The Kia had stopped in heavy traffic and had been displaying hazard warning lights for over a minute at the time of the collision between junction 17 for Sandbach and junction 18 for Middlewich, Cheshire.

Szewczyk's vehicle pushed the Kia into a lorry, killing 71-year-old Suzanne Taylor, who was sitting in the rear of the stationary car.

Her daughter, the front seat passenger, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital where she underwent surgery and was only discharged two months later.

Speed was found in Szewczyk's system after his arrest and officers spoke to key witnesses who stated the van he was driving was weaving all over the road.

GPS data from his employer found that the vehicle being driven by Szewczyk had left the warehouse 22 hours and 31 minutes prior to the collision, travelling more than 450 miles.

It was also found that he did not hold a valid driving licence and his Polish licence was listed as confiscated and invalid.

Szewczyk, of Lancashire Hill, Stockport, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and has been jailed for seven and a half years at Chester Crown Court.

Investigating officer PC Faye Clarke, of Cheshire Police, said: “Szewczyk’s actions and decision to continue to drive throughout the 22-hour period prior to the collision has devastated Suzanne’s family…

“Whilst employed as a professional driver Szewczyk deliberately chose to ignore the law and continued to drive whilst knowingly fatigued and under the influence of a controlled drug which put lives at risk.

“He had ample opportunity to pull in or leave the motorway network but continued to drive.“

Speaking after the sentencing, Taylor’s family said: “As a family we are pleased with the custodial sentence of seven and a half years, though no sentence can bring mum back.”

Szewczyk was also handed a five-year driving ban which will be in place on his release from prison.