Father of teen who died in A66 crash had his house rammed by car before fatal incident

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Police confirmed they were investigating the connection between the two incidents after neighbours reported loud bangs in the area

The father of one of the teenagers who died in the A66 crash had his house rammed by a vehicle the evening before the incident.

Seven people died in the collision in the early hours of Saturday after a Volkswagen Passat drove the wrong way down the busy A-road near Middlesbrough.

Cole Worthy, 17, was one of the five "joyriders" who died when they hit a Cleveland Police armed response vehicle, killing PC Matthew Blades, 38 and PC Tom Clough, 37.

Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, Michael Cahill, 23, and Jakub Matusiak, 23, were also killed alongside Worthy in the crash.

Earlier that evening, the force received several reports of two vehicles driving dangerously in the town, while a Volvo XC60 was spotted ramming properties.

One of those impacted was the home belonging to Mr Worthy's father, whose red-bricked semi-detached home, situated along a peaceful Acklam residential street, was targeted.

The downstairs bay window had been shattered, leaving behind some bricks, while an upstairs window had also been smashed.

One local had said they heard crashes in the early hours of the morning while another said the area had experienced a higher police presence that weekend.

Police have since confirmed they were investigating any connection between the Passat crash and the Volvo XC60.

It is understood that Worthy and the four others jumped into the Passat after his father's home was targeted. As it stands, there is no indication the father was involved in any criminal activity.

Following preliminary investigations into the fatal crash, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said officers had been following the Passat for close to seven minutes after it was linked to earlier alleged criminal activity.

The five deceased had 37 previous convictions between them, with only Mr Cahill not having a criminal record.

LATEST ON THE A66 CRASH:

However, the pursuit was forsaken just 10 seconds before the collision.

Yesterday, 12 people were arrested, including nine men and three women between the ages of 18 and 61, across Teesside while officers continue the probe into the crash.

Two men were also charged, with one facing a charge for possession of a fire arm with intent to endanger life.

The second was charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property.

Earlier today, Cleveland Police confirmed another five arrests had been made, with one of those detained being as young as 16.

Two men, 18 and 21, were also arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group.

A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Police also confirmed a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill.