A talented teenage girl tragically lost her life on a highway when the car she was a passenger in broke down and was hit by another vehicle.

Elise Thomas, 17, was in the Ford Fiesta when it broke down on the M1 and was struck by another car. The front tyre of the Fiesta had worn out and detached, leading to the collision while Elise and her friends were waiting for help.

The impact caused the car to spin, resulting in Elise sustaining life-threatening injuries and one of her friends being seriously hurt. Details of the incident emerged during a trial at Hull Crown Court where the driver of the other vehicle faced charges related to Elise’s death and the injury of the other passenger on August 12, 2023.

According to Jeremy Barton, the driver and her friends were en route from Dewsbury to Doncaster to attend a concert by The Vamps. They were driving a maroon or red Ford Fiesta when the tire issue occurred on the M1 near Junction 40.

After the Fiesta came to a stop due to the tyre problem, a Vauxhall Corsa collided with it from behind, causing the tragic outcome. Both drivers managed to exit their vehicles, but Elise and the other passenger were trapped until they were rescued by bystanders and emergency services.

Despite efforts to save her, Elise succumbed to her injuries, and the other passenger suffered severe harm. The trial revealed that the Corsa driver may have experienced visual impairment, known as “looming,” which affected his perception of the road ahead.

Following the trial, the 51-year-old Leeds driver was acquitted of all charges. Elise’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as a beautiful soul and a talented photographer with a passion for wildlife photography.