He Was No Saint – But His Family Demands Answers: Shock Claim After De@adly A66 Crash That Ki@lled Seven
The family of Jakub Matusiak, also known as Jacob, has spoken of their profound shock and grief following the tragic head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough that claimed seven lives in the early hours of 22 August 2026.
Matusiak, 23, was one of five young men travelling in a Volkswagen Passat that was driven the wrong way along the dual carriageway before colliding with a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle. The crash also killed the two officers inside the police car, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. The other occupants of the Passat – Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23 – were pronounced dead at the scene.
A relative of Matusiak told British media that the family remains devastated for everyone involved. The relative acknowledged that Jakub “was no saint” and had been involved in previous troubles. Social media had previously circulated videos showing him engaged in reckless driving, including high-speed manoeuvres through residential areas and across open ground. Court records confirm that in March 2026 he pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and without insurance.
Despite this, the family strongly rejects any attempt to place sole responsibility on the group of young men in the car. They insist on a full and transparent account from police of the events leading up to the collision. The relative stated that the family had been told the police pursuit should have been called off earlier and believe that doing so might have saved lives. They are seeking “the full picture” rather than partial explanations.
Police had received multiple reports that morning of two vehicles being driven dangerously in the area. Officers briefly followed the suspicious Passat but, according to official accounts, aborted the active pursuit roughly ten seconds before the fatal impact. Investigations into the circumstances continue, with a number of arrests already made in connection with the events surrounding the crash. Four of the five young men in the Passat had previous convictions between them.
The tragedy has sparked intense public discussion about dangerous driving trends among some young people, including the filming and sharing of high-risk driving for online attention. At the same time, it has highlighted the heavy human cost borne by both the families of the young men and the families of the two officers who lost their lives while on duty.
Matusiak’s funeral took place on 4 September 2026 at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank, Middlesbrough. Hundreds of mourners attended, many wearing black or orange – his favourite colour. The cortege featured a horse-drawn carriage, a white Rolls-Royce and a Lamborghini. Local schools closed early that afternoon amid concerns over traffic disruption and large crowds. Some attendees were seen wearing balaclavas, echoing earlier memorial gatherings where flares and balloons had been released.
While acknowledging his past difficulties, Matusiak’s relatives continue to press for clarity from the authorities. They maintain that a complete and open investigation is essential so that lessons can be learned and the full truth established for all the families affected by this devastating incident.
