The driver of the Mazda, aged 87, and a 27-year-old passenger in the van were both pronounced dead at the scene.
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The southbound carriageway could be closed for large parts of the morning but two lanes of the northbound carriageway have reopened.
A spokesman for Highways England said: “Police investigation work and recovery is now complete and our contractors are on scene to carry out any necessary emergency repairs to the damaged road surface”.
An disaster throughout the M1 early today that in fact mentioned the everyday life of 2 certain people has watched the southbound carriageway entirely filled.
Leicestershire Police said a vehicle was reported to have travelled the wrong way down the southbound carriageway before the fatal crash.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and closures are expected to remain in place until at least 10am. “Thank you for your patience”.
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Anyone with information on the M1 crash or who saw the vehicles in the moments before the crash are asked to call police on 101.
