The southbound carriageway between junctions 12 and 11 has been closed since 5:30 this morning.
Drivers are being advised to avoid the A42 in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, following a serious collision during the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 29 November).
A white BMW X3 was involved in a collision with an HGV lorry which was parked in a layby on the southbound carriageway of the A42.
The collision was reported just before 5am and emergency services closed the southbound carriageway between junctions 12 and 11.
The driver of the BMW has been taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he is being treated for serious, life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured.
Diversions are in place but anyone travelling in this direction is asked to avoid the area and seek an alternative route.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and hasn't yet spoken to officers is asked to get in touch.
Contact 101, quoting incident 68 of 29 November or report via www.leics.police.uk