The father of one of five youths killed in a fatal collision with a police vehicle has been charged with assault following an incident at his son’s funeral. Gye Worthy, 39, faces charges after an alleged altercation with a mourner during the memorial service for his son, Cole Worthy, on Wednesday.

Cole Worthy, 17, was among seven people who died on August 22 in a crash on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough. The Volkswagen Passat involved was reportedly traveling the wrong way when it collided with a marked police car. The crash claimed the lives of five young men, including Worthy, Jakub Matusiak, 23; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and Michael Cahill, 23. Two police officers, PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were also killed.

Authorities say the disturbance occurred during the remembrance ceremony when Gye Worthy reportedly took offense to comments made at the service, leading to an assault on another attendee. Cleveland Police confirmed that Worthy was charged with common assault, public order offenses, and obstructing police after officers were called to intervene. He is scheduled to appear before Teesside magistrates’ court next month.

A source close to the family indicated that Cole Worthy’s mother, Natalie McConnell, was deeply upset by the disruption. McConnell, who has been separated from Worthy and is now in a new relationship, was present at the funeral.

In a separate but related development, police are investigating a serious criminal act that caused significant damage to Gye Worthy’s home just minutes before the fatal crash. Details have not been disclosed.

Meanwhile, the community has continued to pay tribute to the fallen officers. Yesterday, a funeral service for PC Tom Clough was held, attended by police officers and army veterans. The ceremony featured a mounted police unit leading the procession with four horses, reflecting the solemn respect afforded to the officer.

Investigations into the collision and the events surrounding it remain ongoing as authorities seek to piece together the circumstances leading to the tragedy.