Manhunt Underway for Father of Teen Killed in Fatal Crash After Skipping Court Dates
Gye Worthy, whose son died in a collision that claimed seven lives, is sought by police for assault, resisting arrest, shoplifting, and drug possession charges.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for Gye Worthy, 40, the father of a teenager who died in a catastrophic crash on the A66 in Middlesbrough that resulted in seven fatalities. Worthy failed to appear in court for sentencing on charges related to an assault at his son Cole's funeral and for subsequent accusations of shoplifting and possessing drugs.
Worthy allegedly attacked Paul Maull, 46, the celebrant at his 17-year-old son Cole's funeral on September 9, at Teesside Crematorium. The disturbance reportedly occurred because Worthy felt he was not mentioned early enough in the eulogy. He is accused of grabbing Maull, dragging him, and making threats of violence in front of mourners before resisting officers called to the scene. He had pleaded guilty to assault and resisting arrest, as well as a separate theft offense.
Teesside magistrates were also informed that Worthy missed a mandatory appointment with probation officers for a pre-sentence report concerning the funeral incident. His solicitor stated she had no update or explanation for his absence. A warrant for his arrest, not backed for bail, was issued, meaning he is to be held in custody until he can be brought before the court.
Earlier, on August 22, Worthy's son Cole and four friends died when their Volkswagen Passat collided head-on with a police vehicle on the A66. The crash also killed two officers, PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37. The group had reportedly been seeking revenge after Worthy's home and two other properties were ram-raided in what is believed to be a gangland feud.
The pursuit of the Passat began when police spotted the vehicle. After nearly seven minutes, the car entered the A66 traveling the wrong way, apparently in an attempt to evade officers. Police immediately abandoned the chase, but seconds later, the Passat collided with the marked police car. Those pronounced dead at the scene included Cole Worthy, Theo Rae, 17; Jakub Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23.
While on bail for the funeral assault charges, Worthy is accused of stealing food and alcohol from a Co-op store in Middlesbrough on September 22. Court documents also show charges of possessing zopiclone and pregabalin on October 6.
PC Clough had a prior career in the British Army and served with different police forces before joining Cleveland Police. His family remembered him as a hero. PC Blades, a father of two, had been an English teacher before becoming a police officer and was involved in youth football coaching. His wife described him as her beloved husband and a devoted father.