Toyota driver, 53, who allegedly caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash after he changed lanes and stopped - killing an Irish tradie - is charged with a slew of offences

  • Toyota driver charged over fatal collision on the M4 Motorway on Thursday
  • Police allege Toyota Echo changed lanes before stopping and causing collision
  • A truck hit another vehicle killing a 36-year-old tradesman from Wentworthville
  • Eleven cars were involved in the crash and the driver will face court on Saturday 

A man has been charged over a fatal crash that caused one death and a car pileup on a busy motorway.

Police allege a Toyota Echo had changed lanes and stopped on the M4 at Mays Hill, in Sydney's west, before causing the fatal collision at about 5.50am on Thursday.

Eleven vehicles were involved in the crash, while a truck carrying beer kegs hit a utility truck, killing Francis Shanley, 36, from Wentworthville.  

Eleven vehicles were involved in in the crash, while a truck carrying beer kegs hit a utility truck, killing Francis Shanley, 36 (left, with fiancee Broc Nicholson), from Wentworthville

Eleven vehicles were involved in in the crash, while a truck carrying beer kegs hit a utility truck, killing Francis Shanley, 36 (left, with fiancee Broc Nicholson), from Wentworthville 

Police allege a Toyota Echo had changed lanes and stopped on the M4 at Mays Hill, in Sydney's west, before causing the fatal collision at about 5.50am on Thursday (pictured, wreckage from the crash site on Thursday)

Police allege a Toyota Echo had changed lanes and stopped on the M4 at Mays Hill, in Sydney's west, before causing the fatal collision at about 5.50am on Thursday (pictured, wreckage from the crash site on Thursday)

At the time of the accident, witnesses told police they had seen the Toyota Echo leave the scene before officers arrived on site (pictured, crash site on Thursday)

At the time of the accident, witnesses told police they had seen the Toyota Echo leave the scene before officers arrived on site (pictured, crash site on Thursday)

Mr Shanley's devastated fiancee Broc Nicholson made a heartbreaking post on Friday, following the Irish tradesman's death.

'Most of you have heard the devastating news of our beautiful, strong head, lucky charm Irish boy Francis Shanley has sadly passed away,' she wrote.

'He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed. I thank you all for your love, support and messages of kind words.

'Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet... Fly high my beautiful angel I love you forever and always.'

At the time of the accident, witnesses told police they had seen a Toyota Echo leave the scene before officers arrived on site. 

Police had earlier put out an appeal to find the missing driver, before a 53-year-old driver handed himself in at St Mary's Police Station on Friday.

He was arrested and later charged with dangerous driving occasioning death/driver manner dangerous, negligent driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and two counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct.

He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court today.  

Thursday morning's crash happened at a notorious off-ramp, the last before tolls begin on the M4 motorway. Pictured: Ms Nicholson (left) and Mr Shanley

Thursday morning's crash happened at a notorious off-ramp, the last before tolls begin on the M4 motorway. Pictured: Ms Nicholson (left) and Mr Shanley

Mr Shanley's devastated fiancee Broc Nicholson shared an emotional message (pictured) regarding his death to Facebook on Friday.

Mr Shanley's devastated fiancee Broc Nicholson shared an emotional message (pictured) regarding his death to Facebook on Friday.

Police later arrested a 53-year-old driver after he handed himself in at St Mary's Police Station on Friday (pictured, crash site on Thursday)

Police later arrested a 53-year-old driver after he handed himself in at St Mary's Police Station on Friday (pictured, crash site on Thursday)

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Driver charged over fatal M4 crash that killed tradesman and led to car pileup

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