A 29-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a 16-year-old boy died during a police chase in Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening.

Four people were arrested after the death of the boy who was in a car being pursued by police.

A 17-year-old girl, 22-year-old man and 17-year old boy arrested in connection with the incident in the Park Road North area of Middlesbrough have been released without charge.

The 29-year-old man was remanded to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 16, and will face charges of death by dangerous driving and driving document offences.

Officers attempted to stop a Ford Focus with several people inside at approximately 8pm on Tuesday evening.

The Northern Echo:

The scene of the collision near the junction of Park Road North and Park Vale Road, in Middlesbrough. Picture: fb.com/TeesPix

The vehicle failed to stop and after a short pursuit it was involved in a collision with a Nissan Qashqai near the junction of Park Road North and Park Vale Road in Middlesbrough.

One of the occupants of the Ford Focus, 16-year-old Brandon Morris, suffered serious injuries in the crash and was later pronounced dead.

Six people, including Brandon, were taken to James Cook University Hospital after a fleet of ambulances were called to the scene.

His mother Channy Beech said she had lost her “best friend”.

In a Facebook post, she wrote: “How as a mother am I supposed to carry on with life when in a split second my beautiful son has been taken away from me.

“No mother on this earth should ever have to suffer this pain - I miss you Bran and my heart aches for you.

“I will love you for ever – sleep tight my boy.”

Brandon's twin brother, Keitan, also wrote: “You weren’t only my best mate, you were my twin brother – I love you so much Bran and I really can’t believe it.

“We did everything together and now to know that you’re gone has crippled me.

“I can have plenty of brothers but I will never have a twin brother like you.”

Assistant Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the boy and we have offered specialist support through Family Liaison Officers.

“We are also providing support to our officers and have referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission which is mandatory in these circumstances.”

Witnesses described hearing the skids of a car and a loud "bang".

One resident said: “My husband was just coming in when he heard a car skid across the road.

“We didn’t know what had happened at first – it is so sad that a young boy died – it is so tragic.”

Another resident described the “horrible” feeling of realising what had happened.

“We sit in the back room of our house and we just heard a really loud bang.

“When we got to the window, we just saw blue lights.

“Time stands still – you immediately fear the worst, but hope deep down it is nothing serious.”

By Wednesday afternoon, dozens of floral tributes had been left at the scene, some from family members others from friends of the dead boy.

One, addressed to "a dear brother" read: "Rest in peace. Gone but never forgotten. Will miss the times we had. You were took far too soon. See you on the other side my mate."

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service told The Northern Echo six people were taken to hospital as a result of the incident.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "At around 8pm this evening officers in a marked police vehicle, sighted a Ford Focus vehicle containing a number of people.

"Officers activated the police vehicle’s lights and sirens however the Ford Focus failed to stop for police.

"A short pursuit ensued, during which the Ford Focus was subsequently in collision with a Qashqai which was being driven near the junction of Park Road North and Park Vale Road in Middlesbrough.

"A 16-year-old boy in the Focus suffered serious injuries during the collision. Sadly he was later pronounced deceased at James Cook University Hospital."

A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We received a call to Park Road South in Middlesbrough at 8.05pm following reports of a road traffic collision.

"We dispatched six double crewed ambulances as well as a rapid response paramedic and an officer. Six patients were taken to James Cook Hospital.”

Cleveland Police has notified the Independent Police Complaints Commission as is required in such circumstances.

  • Anyone who saw a silver Ford Focus driving in the Park Road North area of Middlesbrough just before 8pm on Tuesday, March 14, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting Event 043723.