The M1 northbound between junction 14 and 15 was closed from around 2.30pm on Tuesday (July 30) after a serious collision.
A white Volkswagen Crafter van was stopped in lane one of the all lanes running ‘smart’ motorway, when a white Scania HGV collided with the van.
A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “The driver of the Crafter, a man in his 50s, suffered life-changing chest and spinal injuries and was taken to University Hospital Coventry via air ambulance.
“A passenger in the van, a man in his 40s, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Northampton General Hospital.”
Collision investigators would like to hear from anyone who saw the collision or who has dash-cam footage of it.
Anyone with information is asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number: 24000452450.
In order to enable the rescue of the automobiles, certain highways were kept closed until the wee hours of today, July 31. A single lane remains blocked while repairs are made. Drivers are advised by National Highways to budget extra time for their trips.
