A66 crash: police probe links five dead men to organised crimeThe five young men who died when their car crashed into a police vehicle on the A66 may have had links to “serious and organised criminal activity”, police have said. Cleveland Police has arrested 12 other people as investigators examine alleged criminality before the collision, which killed the five occupants of the Volkswagen Passat and two police officers. Police uncover alleged criminal network behind fatal crash The 12 suspects — nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61 — were arrested over alleged offences including involvement in an organised crime group and firearms possession. Four are also suspected of possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply. Police said four of the five men who died had previous convictions and were believed to be associated with a Volvo XC60 allegedly seen ramming properties earlier that morning. Both vehicles were reportedly using cloned number plates and were identified through automatic number plate recognition cameras. Pursuit ended seconds before tragedy The Passat was pursued for almost seven minutes after police received intelligence linked to “numerous incidents”. It then entered the A66 at South Bank travelling against the flow of traffic. Officers terminated the pursuit and continued on the correct side of the carriageway. Around 10 seconds later, the Passat smashed into the marked armed response vehicle carrying PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Five who died in A66 crash may have had links to 'organised criminal activity'
Create an account or sign in to comment