THE flatmate of a lorry driver charged with causing eight deaths in the M1 horror crash has told of his shock.

Ryszard Masierak, is accused of eight counts of causing death by dangerous driving, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and eight counts of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

Yesterday his flatmate spoke to the Worcester News and revealed his shock.

He revealed that Masierak had recently been divorced and that his transport business had closed down last year.

The charges relate to a crash that happened on the southbound carriageway at around 3.15am on Saturday between junctions 15 and 14 near Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire.

Eight people were killed when the minibus they were travelling in crashed with two lorries on a motorway.

Four other passengers - including one child - were taken to hospital after the collision.

Masierak has been remanded in custody to appear at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court today.

Masierak, aged 31, who lives in Evesham, was driving a lorry from the town's AIM Logistics Ltd transport company.

Masierak’s flatmate in Barnards Close, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Masierak, from Poland had previously owned business Ryszard Transport LTD in Redditch, before it closed in 2016.

He also said Masierak had served in the military for seven years, and had been living in a car for two months since splitting from his wife a few months ago.

His flatmate, who did not wish to be named, said that he had been trying to help him.

He said: “He had been living in a car so I wanted to help him, he was practically homeless.

“I can’t believe what has happened.”

Police had called at his house on Saturday night to look at Maseriak’s passport and returned on Sunday to ask his flatmate about Maseriak.

Other residents confirmed that they were asked by police if they knew anything about him.

Ismail Elmagdoub, director of Aim Logistics said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathy remain with the families who have lost loved ones and also those who have been injured at this very sad time.

“We are continuing to assist the police with their investigation so it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage except to say that road safety and compliance is of the utmost importance to AIM Logistics.”

The driver of the other lorry involved, belonging to Fed Ex, was named as David Wagstaff, 53, of Derwent Street, Stoke-on-Trent. He is charged with eight counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was bailed to appear at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court on September 11.

The vehicles involved in the crash were travelling in the same direction.

The road was closed until the early afternoon to allow recovery work to take place.

Chief inspector Henry Parsons from the joint operations unit for roads policing, said: "Our thoughts are very much with the families of those involved."

Witnesses can call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101, quoting URN 214 of August 26.