Family member issues demand to police after A66 wrong way crash that killed seven
A family member of one of the men killed in a Teesside car collision has demanded 'answers' from the police.
On Saturday (22 August), a fatal A66 collision saw a Volkswagen Passat collide with an off-duty police car after driving down the wrong side of the motorway.
All five occupants of the Volkswagen - Jacob Matusiak, 23, Cole Robert Worthy, 16, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-old Michael Robert Cahill - were killed, alongside PCs Tom Clough and Matthew Blades.
Speaking to Sky News, a cousin of Matusiak said his family want a clearer picture of the circumstances which led to the Passat driving onto the wrong side of the carriageway.
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"We all want answers - we were told the chase should have been called off earlier," the cousin claimed, adding: "If it had been called off earlier, lives might have been saved."
The family member went on to acknowledge that Matusiak 'was no saint' and added that they were devastated for everyone involved.
They went on: "If he was at fault, he was at fault, but they need to give us the full picture.
"He was no saint and has been involved in stuff before - we know that - but we cannot believe this has happened."
According to previous reports, another police vehicle had been pursuing the Passat before it entered onto the wrong side of the carriageway, where the decision was made not to pursue further.
Cleveland Police has since confirmed that a further 12 people - nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61 - have been arrested on suspicion of several offences, which include possession of a firearm and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
It's also been confirmed that an investigation into potential criminality before the crash occurred has been launched.
According to the ongoing investigation, the Passat had been linked to a Volvo XC60, which had been witnessed ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area.
"This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity," Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said in a statement on the case yesterday.
"The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect.
"We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice.
"Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime."
LADbible Group has contacted Cleveland Police for comment.
Topics: UK News
Brenna Cooper