Manslaughter charges have been dropped against the organiser of a fireworks display held on the night of a crash on the M5 in which seven people died.
Geoffrey Counsell, 50, was arrested after the crash, which involved 34 vehicles and left 51 people injured, in November 2011.
Mr Counsell will now face one charge, under health and safety laws, of failing to ensure the safety of others.
That case will be heard at a later date, Bristol Crown Court heard.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Geoffrey Counsell with manslaughter in October 2012.
Senior Investigation Officer for the M5 collision, Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour said: “The collision on the M5 in November 2011 was one of the worst in living memory. Fifty one people were injured and seven people tragically lost their lives. We launched a comprehensive investigation immediately after to establish the full circumstances which led to the collision.”
“Our investigation was meticulous and complex. We took hundreds of witness statements, examined 34 vehicles and consulted several experts, including meteorologists, pyrotechnic and forensic specialists.”
“Based on this evidence the Crown Prosecution Service took a decision to charge. However, following further consideration in recent weeks they have decided to discontinue the manslaughter charges.”
