UK police probe organized crime links in wreck that killed 2 officers, 5 others

British police have arrested 17 people, including a 16-year-old, in connection with a crash near Middlesbrough that killed two officers and all five occupants of a fleeing car over the weekend.

Cleveland Police say the case involves 'serious and organized criminal activity,' with charges so far including possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

The crash occurred after a Volkswagen Passat, pursued for nearly seven minutes, turned the wrong way onto a highway and hit an oncoming police car; officers had called off the chase ten seconds earlier when the car entered oncoming traffic.

Officers Matthew Blades, 37, and Tom Clough, 38, died along with all five occupants of the Passat, several of whom had prior convictions; almost £900,000 has been raised for the officers' families.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.