A TikTok video has emerged appearing to show one of the men who died in the devastating crash on the A66, driving recklessly months before the fatal collision that also claimed the lives of two police officers.
The footage, uploaded in May, seemingly shows 23-year-old Jacob Matusiak behind the wheel, accompanied by the caption: “Unfortunately I’m not a nonchalant boyfriend.” The clip, which appears to have been recorded by Mr Matusiak himself, depicts a car speeding through a residential area in broad daylight before veering onto a grass patch in the middle of a housing estate.
In the video, the vehicle is seen driving along a path while the driver steers with one hand, the other appearing to hold the camera.
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Jacob Matusiak was one of seven people who lost their lives in the early hours of Saturday when a car travelling the wrong way along the A66 near Middlesbrough was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle carrying two police officers.
Tributes have poured in for the officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who were killed in the line of duty. Their families have shared their heartbreak following the tragedy.
The group of young men in the car were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. Both police officers and the five men travelling in the Volkswagen Passat were pronounced dead at the scene.
Cleveland Police said officers had been pursuing the Passat following reports of “numerous incidents” involving the vehicle. Bodycam footage from one of the police cars showed the chase lasted just under seven minutes before the Passat drove onto the wrong carriageway of the A66. At this point, officers decided to abort the pursuit, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Additionally, ring doorbell footage captured at 3.36am showed the Passat speeding along Lime Road in Middlesbrough.
Just three minutes later, at 3.39am, the vehicle collided with another armed-response police vehicle travelling on the correct carriageway of the A66.
Clips previously uploaded to a TikTok account believed to belong to Makai Saddington in March 2025 appeared to show him and four others involved in what seemed to be a police pursuit, including footage of vehicles driving across a field. These clips have since been removed.
PC Clough’s family paid tribute to their “hero” on Sunday, describing him as having a fantastic sense of humour and a dedication to helping others. They expressed gratitude for the support received from friends, colleagues, and the wider community.
PC Blades’ wife also shared a poignant message, calling him her “beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.” She spoke of his selflessness and the profound loss felt by his family.
A GoFundMe page has been established for the officers’ families and has raised more than £220,000 to date.
The fatal crash comes just a week after a separate tragic accident in Ireland, where five teenagers died following a head-on collision on a motorway after travelling in the wrong direction in a stolen vehicle early on a Sunday morning.
Family members and friends of those who died in the A66 crash have paid heartfelt tributes. Jacob Matusiak’s sister described her heart as “broken,” referring to him as her “best friend always and forever.” Michael Cahill was remembered as a “lovely, down-to-earth lad,” while Theo Rae was described as having a “heart of gold” and a willingness to do anything for anyone.
Several balloon releases in their honour are planned throughout the week at various locations including South Bank. One tribute read: “We all knew ‘use’ and knew ‘use’ had hearts of gold and were the most loyal lads.”
The stretch of the A66 where the crash took place remains closed for repair work, with reopening expected on Monday.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey emphasised the importance of allowing the IOPC to conduct its investigation without interference. He cautioned the public against spreading misinformation on social media and urged patience while the inquiry is ongoing.