A man has been charged over a crash that killed six people, including a couple and their two young daughters, on the A61 in West Yorkshire.
Christopher Cockell, 50, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 28 October, charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Shane Roller, 33, and his partner Shannen Morgan died alongside their daughters Rubie, nine, and Lillie, four, when their Ford Focus collided with a motorbike on 21 July 2024.
Christopher Barton, 56, who was riding the motorcycle, and his passenger, Janine Barton, both from Barnsley, also died in the crash.
An inquest heard that the vehicles collided head-on at about 3.50pm on the A61 between Staincross and Newmillerdam. The Ford Focus caught fire, with images from the scene showing its blackened wreckage on a grass verge and debris scattered across the road.
West Yorkshire Police described the collision as an “absolutely tragic incident”. Superintendent Alan Travis, of Wakefield District Police, said at the time that officers’ thoughts were with the families of those who had died and that support was being provided.
Callum Roller, Shane’s brother, wrote on social media after the crash that he was “lost for words” and “absolutely heartbroken”. He said both sides of the family were in “absolute shock”.
Rubie and Lillie had attended Athersley North Primary School. Teachers Clare Storr and Kirsty Wordsworth said the sisters had been “a delight to teach” and were “a credit to their parents”, who they said had always been incredibly supportive.
A fundraising appeal established for the girls’ surviving sister raised more than £400,000. The money was intended to support her education, emotional wellbeing and future care.
She has been described on the appeal page as “bright and resilient”, with “an infectious smile and a kind heart”.
Police previously appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage following the crash.
