The driver of a van which crashed into a lorry parked on the side of the A2 has been named.
Russell Richards, who was 50, was driving the white Mercedes Sprinter when it veered off the coastbound carriageway in Cobham, near Gravesend and crashed into a parked lorry.
The Thames Water worker was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which happened just after 4pm last Friday (May 31)
Family friend Sadie Carmen has set up fundraiser to help collect money for funeral costs which has almost reached its £5,000 target.
Writing on the gofundme page, she said: “Yesterday afternoon Russell was unfortunately involved in a fatal accident therefore leaving his young kids behind and his beautiful misses Samantha.
“Russell was a hard working man who always smiled even on the worst of days and always put his family first.
“As this is a massive shock and shouldn’t of happened and [was] unexpected the family was not prepared and do not have the funds to give Russ the send off he deserves.”
Russell leaves behind partner Samantha and two young children.
His passenger, a 20-year-old man received serious injuries and was taken to a London hospital by air ambulance where he remains in a serious condition.
The driver of the lorry received minor injuries.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has any other information or dashcam footage of the van or lorry prior to the collision is urged to call Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting the reference EX/HG/058/24.
You can also email investigators at sciu.td@kent.police.uk
Footage can be submitted via the online portal.
