An uncle of one of the victims in a fatal A66 crash was previously jailed for dangerous driving on the same road, it has emerged. Aaron Saddington, 23, received a 20-month sentence in June after driving at oncoming vehicles on the dual carriageway near Middlesbrough.
His nephew, Makai Saddington, 18, was among the seven people killed in the collision last Saturday. The crash also claimed the lives of four of Makai's friends and two police officers. Court documents indicate Aaron Saddington pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
The collision occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a stolen VW Passat, carrying five occupants, crashed into a police vehicle. The five occupants of the Passat, including Makai Saddington, were killed, as were PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37. The occupants of the Passat have been identified as Cole Worthy, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Theo Rae, 17, and Michael Cahill, 23.
Authorities believe the chase was initiated after a rival gang used a Volvo XC60 to ram the home of Cole Worthy's father, Gye Worthy, approximately 40 minutes before the fatal crash. The Volvo reportedly rammed the front window of the house twice. Shortly after, the VW Passat carrying Cole Worthy and his friends was seen racing through Middlesbrough in pursuit of the Volvo.
The Passat was later spotted by a police patrol, leading to the pursuit that ended in the fatal collision. Cleveland Police stated that the pursuit was called off moments before the Passat turned the wrong way onto the A66 dual carriageway and collided head-on with the armed response vehicle. The Volvo XC60 involved in the property ramming has since been recovered.
Cleveland Police have arrested multiple individuals in connection with the incident. As of Tuesday, 17 people had been detained. These arrests include a 16-year-old boy and four men aged 18, 21, 23, and 55, on suspicion of participating in an organized crime group, assisting an offender, and making threats to kill. Previously, 12 people were arrested, with some facing charges related to organized crime, firearm possession, and drug offenses.
Two of the previously detained individuals, Kai Beattie, 19, and Cameron George, 26, have appeared in court. Beattie faces charges for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, while George was remanded in custody on drug offenses and possession of criminal property charges.
Images and social media posts have surfaced showing some of the deceased occupants of the Passat engaging in dangerous driving and taunting police. Makai Saddington reportedly posted videos of police chases on TikTok and was awaiting trial for charges including racially abusing and assaulting officers. Footage also showed Jakub Matusiak driving recklessly. Following the crash, masked youths reportedly set off flares and fireworks in a tribute to the deceased youths, drawing criticism from onlookers for perceived disrespect, particularly in contrast to a silent vigil held for the fallen officers.