Five more arrested following wrong-way A66 motorway crash that killed seven including two police officers
Cleveland Police announced that further arrests have now been made in relation to the deadly A66 crash.
Another five people, including a 16-year-old boy, have been taken into custody by detectives investigating the events leading up to the horror crash which killed seven.
Two police officers - PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 - were killed when a Volkswagen Passat was driven the wrong way along a dual carriageway near Middlesbrough and hit their marked armed response vehicle.
Five people travelling in the Volkswagen - Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak - were pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday (22 August).
Advert
Cleveland Police announced on Tuesday (25 August) that more arrests took place overnight in relation to the A66 crash.
This includes a 16-year-old boy, an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man who have each been arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group.
A 55-year-old man has been taken into custody on suspicion of assisting an offender, while a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill.
The force also issued an update on the arrests of 12 others that took place after an investigation over the weekend into alleged criminal activity before the crash.
Police previously said that nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, were taken into custody.
Kai Beattie, 19, from Redcar has has since been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court today (25 August).
A 26-year-old man, Cameron George, was charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property,
He has been remanded in custody until he appears at Teesside Crown Court on 21 September.
Police previously suggested that the five young men in the Passat may have had links to 'serious and organised criminal activity'.
Cleveland Police announced earlier that on the morning of the fatal collision, it received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously.
The first vehicle, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. The second vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo.
'A fast moving and complex investigation'
Police said both vehicles were operating with cloned number plates but were picked up by automated number plate recognition technology.
According to the force, there is no evidence that filming of the activities was 'for the purposes of TikTok'.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: "This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.
“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.
“Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy.
“Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism.
“I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”
Inquests were due to open on Thursday morning for the two officers who were killed in the A66 crash.
Olivia Burke