Tributes have been paid to a 22-year-old woman who lost her life in an A1 crash after police formally identified her. Elena Chiriac, from Newcastle, died following a two-vehicle collision on the southbound carriageway of the A1(M) near Barton, North Yorkshire, on Sunday, October 4.
Florin Chiriac, 31, of Hampstead Road, Benwell, Newcastle, has since been charged with her murder. He has also been charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.
Collision details
The collision occurred at around 6.10pm between Junction 57 and Junction 56, involving a silver Ford Transit and a silver Volkswagen Golf, both of which were travelling southbound. Elena was tragically pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics, reports Yorkshire Live.
Formally naming her today, North Yorkshire Police said: "Specialist officers continue to support Elena's family while enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the collision remain ongoing. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time. We ask that the family's privacy is respected as they come to terms with their loss."
Tributes from church
Emanuel Pentecostal Church in Newcastle, which held a three-day prayer vigil in her honour, paid tribute to Elena, who was affectionately known as Bibi. In a post written in Romanian, the church said [translated]: "With broken hearts and pain in our souls, we bid farewell to our dear young Elena Lăcrămioara Chiriac (Bibi), who has departed to the eternal." It added: "May God comfort and strengthen the family!"
Responding to the post, one person wrote in Romanian: "Sincere condolences to the sorely tried family! May God bless and comfort your saddened hearts! We live in the hope of reunion in eternity."
Further arrests and appeal
A 25-year-old man from Newcastle, who was arrested on Friday, October 9, has been charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of assault offences, believing that one or more would be carried out. A 24-year-old man who was arrested following the collision has been released with no further action.
Two men were initially detained on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving the day after the collision. The road remained closed until 5am on Monday, October 5, while collision investigators conducted examinations and the vehicles were recovered.
Officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses. A spokesperson said: "We know there were a number of vehicles travelling on the A1 at the time of the collision, which occurred between Junction 57 and Junction 56 near Barton. We would like to thank all those motorists who have already spoken to officers or come forward with information and dashcam footage to assist our investigation. However, we are continuing to appeal for witnesses. If you saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to the collision or witnessed the collision itself and have not yet spoken to police, please get in touch. We are particularly keen to hear from drivers with dashcam footage that may have captured either vehicle before the collision or the collision itself. Even the smallest detail could prove significant to our enquiries."
Those with information can submit it via the Major Incident Public Portal by selecting the North Yorkshire Police tile, through the force's live chat service (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or by calling 101. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference 12260195308.
