Five more arrests widen probe into deadly A66 crash near Middlesbrough

Five more people have been arrested in the A66 crash investigation near Middlesbrough, taking the total to 17 as detectives probe links to an organised crime group; the latest detainees include a 16-year-old boy and men aged 18, 21, 55 and 23, arrested on suspicion of involvement in an organised crime group, with charges including firearm offences and drugs. Two men have since been charged—one with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and another with possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property. The crash, which killed seven people including two police officers, occurred when a Volkswagen Passat went the wrong way down the A66 and struck a pursuing police vehicle after a brief chase; investigators note cloned number plates and ongoing enquiries across Teesside.