BREAKING: M62 hen party crash - Minibus driver admits causing the death of South Elmsall teenager Bethany Jones

James Johnson, 64, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Bethany Jones, 18, on the M62 near Pontefract on April 26 last year.

Miss Jones, of Bradley Carr Terrace, was one of 21 women from the town on their way to bride-to-be Stefanie Firth’s hen party in Liverpool when the

minibus they were travelling in collided with a lorry close to junction 32 at Pontefract.

In total, 20 women were injured, including bride-to-be Stefanie Firth and Miss Jones’ mum Diane and sister Amy.

Johnson, of Whytecote End, Wyke, Bradford, entered his plea at Leeds Crown Court today (Monday).

The court was told he would be sentenced on October 21 - a week after the trial of his co-accused, lorry driver, Kevin Ollerhead, 45, of St Helens, who denies the same charge.

The recorder of Leeds, judge Peter Collier, QC, unconditionally bailed Johnson until sentencing next month.