Police watchdog to investigate motorway crash that killed two men: Patrol car had activated its blue lights after spotting car driving in wrong direction

The police watchdog is set to investigate a crash that killed two drivers after one of them drove the wrong way on a motorway.

A grey Ford Kuga was seen travelling northbound on the southbound carriageway on the M90 at around 10.30pm on Friday.

While on patrol, an officer in a marked police car witnessed the Kuga travelling towards them in the wrong direction on a roundabout near junction six. 

Despite the officer activating blue lights, the Kuga continued onto the southbound carriageway and travelled in the wrong direction.

The police car followed the driver, travelling northbound in the correct direction.

The Ford then crashed into a white Vauxhall Corsa, which had been correctly travelling south on the southbound carriageway. 

The police car then came across the collision between the two cars on the opposing carriageway near junction seven.

The male driver of the Kuga, 44, and the driver of the Corsa, who was a 20-year-old man, suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The M90 was shut for around 16 hours between junctions six and nine, so emergency services could carry out investigations. The road has since reopened.

The northbound carriageway was also closed for a short time overnight.

Police have urged anyone with information or dashcam footage to come froward. 

Chief Inspector Lyne Williamson, Operational Support Division, said: ‘I am aware of rumours circulating on social media around the circumstances leading up to the fatal crash on the M90, near Kinross, which happened around 10.30pm on Friday, 17 April, 2026.

‘Whilst on routine patrol, an officer in a marked police vehicle encountered a Ford Kuga travelling towards them in the wrong direction on a roundabout, near to the entrance of junction six of the M90.

‘Blue lights were activated but the Kuga continued onto the southbound carriageway of the motorway, travelling north in the wrong direction.

‘The police vehicle then proceeded onto the northbound carriageway, travelling north in the correct direction, before coming across the collision between the Ford Kuga and the Vauxhall Corsa on the opposing carriageway.

‘In these circumstances, it is mandatory for a referral to be made to the Police Investigation & Review Commissioner.

‘I would ask the public to please avoid further speculation and respect the privacy of the families involved. Our thoughts remain with them.

‘Extensive enquiries remain ongoing and I would again urge anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to please contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference 3758 of 17 April, 2026.’