Cleveland Police have decided to close an investigation into a road rage incident in which a man was struck by another driver’s vehicle, citing the victim’s use of profane language during the episode as a factor in their decision.

Lee Holmes, 53, from Middlesbrough, submitted video footage to the police showing the confrontation, which took place in February while he was a passenger in his partner’s car. According to Holmes, the incident began after a red car overtook their vehicle on the right, cutting them off. His partner responded by sounding the horn, prompting the other driver to brake suddenly in front of them, an action described by Holmes as reckless. Following this, the red car reversed and collided with their car. After choosing to follow the red car to assess potential damage, the other driver allegedly repeated the brake-check and rammed them a second time further along the road.

The footage captures Holmes getting out of the car and being struck by the motorist, causing him to be knocked over the car’s bonnet and fall to the ground. Holmes recounted that had he fallen differently, he might have sustained serious head injuries. During the recorded exchange, Holmes is heard using explicit language toward the other driver, calling him a "maniac" and other profanities.

Cleveland Police responded by characterizing the case as “one word against another essentially” and pointed to the video as evidence of both his partner’s driving and Holmes’s own shouting and swearing. This assessment led the force to close the investigation. Holmes, a former chair of the South Tees Conservative Association and a lettings agency executive, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, stating that his northern upbringing and use of strong language should not justify ending the inquiry.

He has since requested a review of the closure and initiated civil proceedings against the insurance company representing the other driver. Cleveland Police confirmed the closure was reviewed internally and the original decision upheld, advising that any complaints about the handling of the case can be directed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.