Stoned BMW driver fleeing police on M1 smashed into lorry and then tree

He hadn't been legally allowed to drive since 2017

06:05, 09 Apr 2026

The incident caused long queues for several hours on the M1 northbound(Image: Dylan Hayward)

A stoned driver without a licence sped away from pursuing police officers on the M1, crashing into a lorry and a tree[1] after losing control while trying to overtake a car that was in the fast lane.

The northbound lanes of the motorway were shut for about six hours after the crash causing disruption throughout the county.

Sam Finch, 30, who had been smoking cannabis, was heading north on the motorway on September 23 last year when police officers noticed that his BMW 5 Series was flagged on the police system as belonging to someone who didn't have a licence.

They pulled up behind Finch and tried unsuccessfully to get him to pull over.

Prosecutor Cintya Sousa told Leicester Magistrates' Court[2] on Wednesday (April 8): "The police constables activated their blue lights and the BMW accelerated away. The constables initiated a pursuit."

She said that as he approached junction 21 - the Leicester exit - Finch, of Shakespeare Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse in Nottinghamshire, attempted to overtake a Ford Mondeo that was travelling in the fast lane.

Ms Sousa said: "He attempted to overtake a red Mondeo using the gutter in the central reservation.

"He lost control and crossed all three lanes and struck a Volvo HGV, then left the carriageway and collided with a tree.

"The BMW sustained significant damage and the defendant was unconscious in the driver's seat. He was taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries.

"The car was searched and cannabis was found."

She said Finch had lost his licence back in 2017.

It was revoked due to medical reasons.

A blood test at hospital found the level of cannabis was five times the legal limit for drug-driving.

At the court, Finch pleaded guilty to drug-driving, driving without insurance or a licence and dangerous driving.

Ziyad Lunat, representing Finch, said his client had Asperger's syndrome.

He said: "He's panicked and he did the foolish thing, which was to put his foot down and try to get away.

"He was injured and no one else was."

After hearing the offences had a "starting point" of immediate custody, the magistrates agreed to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report.

He is due back at the court for sentencing on Wednesday, April 22.

Leicestershire Live covered the incident back in September last year.[3] After the crash, at midday, the motorway was closed in both directions and there were long queues on the M1 and the M69.

The southbound M1 re-opened at 2.40pm and the northbound stayed closed until gone 6pm.

References

1. ^ crashing into a lorry and a tree (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ Leicester Magistrates' Court (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ covered the incident back in September last year. (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)