Police are investigating after a van crashed into a restaurant on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough on Sunday, 8 March 2026. The incident happened late in the evening and left those inside the building badly shaken.
Officers from Cleveland Police began following a white Peugeot Partner van on the A66 in the Cannon Park area at approximately 9:37pm. While the police pursuit was aborted when the vehicle entered the town centre, the van continued to travel along Linthorpe Road, where it hit a taxi, mounted the pavement, and crashed through the front window of Mr T’s restaurant.
The crash caused a great deal of distress for those eating and working at the business at the time. Staff and customers were left feeling traumatised after the van showered diners with glass. The vehicle was later found abandoned in the South Bank area, and four males are believed to have fled the scene.
Enquiries are now ongoing to understand exactly what caused the crash and to look into the actions of the driver. Investigators are also examining the events leading up to the collision and the actions of the police before the crash happened.
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