MOTHER OF A66 CRASH VICTIM MAKES EMOTIONAL APPEAL FOR A FINAL SEND-OFF

MIDDLESBROUGH, England — The mother of one of the young men killed in the devastating A66 crash has made an emotional appeal for mourners to come together and remember her son as plans for another tribute take shape.

The request comes after an earlier memorial for 23-year-old Jakub Matusiak near the crash site attracted controversy. Hundreds reportedly gathered in South Bank, with balloons released and flares and fireworks used during the tribute. The event drew criticism from some local residents and public figures, particularly because two police officers also lost their lives in the same collision.

A MOTHER’S REQUEST

For Matusiak’s family, however, the focus remains on remembering a son and loved one.

His mother has urged those attending the latest gathering to come together respectfully and give him the farewell she believes he deserves.

The emotional appeal comes as the community continues to grapple with the extraordinary circumstances of the tragedy and the different reactions surrounding the five young men who died.

Matusiak’s cousin has previously acknowledged that the 23-year-old “was no saint” but said the family still deserves answers about the circumstances leading up to the collision.

SEVEN PEOPLE DIED IN THE CRASH

The A66 collision occurred in the early hours of August 22, when a Volkswagen Passat traveling against the flow of traffic collided with a marked police vehicle.

The five occupants of the Volkswagen — Jakub Matusiak, Michael Robert Cahill, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy — all died.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who were traveling in the police vehicle, also lost their lives. Cleveland Police has confirmed the identities of all five young men.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

According to investigators, police had been pursuing the Passat for approximately seven minutes before the pursuit was abandoned after the vehicle entered the A66 traveling in the wrong direction. The fatal collision occurred roughly 10 seconds later.

A separate investigation is also examining suspected criminal activity linked to events before the crash. Police have made 12 arrests in connection with the wider investigation.

A COMMUNITY STILL DIVIDED BY GRIEF

The tragedy has produced deeply contrasting emotions across Middlesbrough.

There has been widespread public mourning for PC Blades and PC Clough, whose families have described their losses as devastating. At the same time, relatives of the five young men have been holding their own tributes and grieving their loved ones.

For Matusiak’s mother, the latest memorial is ultimately about something personal: giving her son a final farewell and remembering the person he was to his family.

As investigations continue to determine exactly what led to the crash, another grieving family is asking mourners to put the controversy aside for a moment — and simply remember their loved one.

Seven people lost their lives in a single devastating collision. Now, amid the questions and controversy surrounding the tragedy, one mother is asking for her son’s final send-off to be about remembrance, dignity and family.