A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving over a crash that killed six people, including two children.
Shannen Morgan and Shane Roller died along with two of their daughters, nine-year-old Rubie, and Lillie, four, when the family’s car collided with a motorbike on the A61 between Barnsley and Wakefield on 21 July 2024.
Husband and wife Christopher and Janine Barton, from Barnsley, who were both travelling on the motorcycle, also died in the crash.
Christopher Cockell, 50, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court in October charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
An inquest previously heard that the silver Ford Focus being driven by Mr Roller, 33, collided head on with the BMW motorcycle being driven by Mr Barton, 56, at about 15:50 BST between Staincross and Newmillerdam.
Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard the collision happened as the motorcycle was overtaking another vehicle on the single-carriageway road, which had a 50mph (80 km/h) speed limit.
Coroner’s support officer Phil Marr told the hearing: “As a result of a head-on impact, the car was spun to the side of the road, where it caught fire.
“It was not possible to release any of the occupants and all four were pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.”
