A man has been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child after a 12-year-old boy died in a collision on the M62, police said.
Callum Rycroft from Harehills, Leeds, was hit by a Toyota C-HR while walking with a man after an earlier collision involving an Audi Q5 on the slip road to Hartshead Moor services on Saturday. The schoolboy is believed to have been attempting to cross the motorway from the hard shoulder.
Matthew Rycroft, 36, of Nowell View, Leeds, will appear at Leeds magistrates court on Tuesday charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, West Yorkshire police said. He was also charged with failing to provide a specimen.
Another man, aged 47, believed to be the driver of the Toyota that hit Callum, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail pending further inquiries.
In a statement released via West Yorkshire police, Callum’s mother, who was not named, described her son as a “beautiful happy soul who was unique, great fun and larger than life”.
She added: “He brought light, laughter and noise into any room. Callum had a massive impact on everyone who met him. The house is so quiet without him here.
“We are devastated at what has happened and request that people respect our wish for privacy at this difficult time. We are very grateful for the support and kind comments we have received.”
Officers from West Yorkshire police’s major collision and inquiry team have now recovered the black Toyota C-HR car with a smashed windscreen that they believe was involved in the collision and are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen the car in the aftermath of the collision.
Callum was found shortly after 9.50pm on Saturday night on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway between junctions 25 and 26, near Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire.
Specially trained officers are supporting the boy’s family, police said. Earlier on Monday, DCS Sarah Jones said: “We continue to conduct a number of enquiries into this dreadful incident and to support the victim’s family.
“A man, believed to be driving the Toyota C-HR which failed to stop after it was in collision with the victim, has now been arrested and will be questioned about the incident.
“As part of our enquiries we are appealing for anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage of the Toyota C-HR’s movements after the collision with the child to contact us.
“We would appeal for footage taken of the black Toyota, which had sustained damage to its front and windscreen, taken between 9.50pm and 10.30pm during which period we believe the car travelled from the Chain Bar roundabout along Whitehall Road (A58) towards junction with Westfield Lane.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact the major collision and inquiry team by using 101 Live Chat or by calling 101, quoting log 1786 of 5 August.”
