UPDATED: Leeds man who died after driving wrong way on M1 to escape cops named

Saqab Zabir, from Leeds, suffered fatal injuries when he crashed head-on into a van on a slip road connecting the M1 and the M62 at junction 29 for Lofthouse on Friday.

The 26-year-old, believed to be from the Harehills area, had been pursued by police after he failed to stop for officers in the early hours.

Police said they began trailing the man’s Nissan Micra on Hunslet Road, Leeds, at about 4.30am. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Officers followed and attempted to stop the car for a short time, before it entered an exit slip road from the M1 at Leeds, travelling south on the northbound carrigeway.

“Officers abandoned following the car at this point for safety reasons.

“A few minutes later, the car, still travelling against traffic, was in collision with a van on the M62 eastbound entry slip road to the M1.”

Mr Zabir died at the scene. The van driver did not suffer any serious injuries.

Police have not confirmed why they attempted to stop the car initially.

The matter was initially referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, but they have referred the matter back to West Yorkshire Police.