A residential property in Acklam, Middlesbrough, was targeted by a vehicle ramming incident shortly before a fatal collision on the A66 that resulted in the deaths of seven people. The damaged home, which sustained significant structural harm to its bay windows and upper floor, belonged to the father of 17-year-old Cole Robert Worthy, who was among those killed in the subsequent crash. There is no evidence to suggest the teenager’s father was involved in any criminal activity.
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a Volkswagen Passat, traveling in the wrong direction on the A66, collided with a Cleveland Police armed response vehicle. The crash claimed the lives of two officers, PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37. Also killed in the Passat were Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and Theo Rae, 17.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed that officers had been pursuing the Passat for nearly seven minutes due to its connection to earlier alleged criminal activity. The pursuit was abandoned 10 seconds before the vehicles reached the dual carriageway. Both the Passat and a Volvo XC60, which police believe was linked to the incident, were operating with cloned number plates but were tracked by automated number plate recognition systems. Authorities had received multiple reports of both vehicles being driven dangerously across the town throughout Friday night and Saturday morning.
The investigation has led to a total of 17 arrests across Teesside. Recent police action resulted in the detention of a 16-year-old boy, two men aged 18 and 21, a 55-year-old man suspected of assisting an offender, and a 23-year-old man arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill. All five remain in custody.
Legal proceedings are underway for several individuals. One 26-year-old man has been charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property, and he remains remanded in custody. Another man faces charges for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, while a different individual has been charged with possession of class A and B drugs and criminal property.
Other individuals arrested during the investigation face various allegations. Three men, aged 24, 19, and 35, are currently in custody on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possession of offensive weapons. A 21-year-old man, also held on suspicion of organized crime involvement and criminal damage, has been recalled to prison. Additionally, a 20-year-old man remains in custody regarding threats to cause criminal damage.
Several others have been released on bail while the investigation continues. A 39-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were released on conditional bail after arrests related to firearms and drug offenses. An 18-year-old man was released on unconditional bail following similar allegations. A 61-year-old woman was released on conditional bail after an arrest for possessing a firearm without a certificate, and a 39-year-old man was released on conditional bail following an arrest for making threats to kill. A 30-year-old woman remains in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender. The report also notes that the red bricked semi-detached house a quiet residential street in Acklam hit by the Volvo is significantly damaged. The report also notes that with bricks scattered beneath it, and an upstairs bedroom window has been broken also, the downstairs bay window has been smashed. The report also notes that neighbours did not want to be identified but one described hearing loud bangs at around two in the morning on Saturday. The report also notes that bringing the total to 17, twelve arrests had already been made. The report also notes that he was remanded in custody ahead of his next court hearing.
