Tragic Care Home Crash in Sunderland: Two Men Charged Amidst Resident Deaths

Tragic Care Home Crash in Sunderland: Two Men Charged Amidst Resident Deaths

In the aftermath of a devastating crash that struck the Highcliffe Care Home in Sunderland, two men have been formally charged with a series of serious offenses. The incident, which occurred after a police pursuit of a stolen vehicle, tragically resulted in the deaths of two residents and left several others requiring hospitalization.

The sequence of events unfolded on a Wednesday night when law enforcement officers initiated a pursuit of a BMW, reported stolen from an address in Fenham, Newcastle. Within approximately five minutes of being authorized to pursue, the vehicle veered off course and collided with the Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack.

The police have stated that the crash resulted in the deaths of two women, aged in their 80s and 90s, who were residents at the care home. The exact circumstances surrounding their passing are still under investigation, with authorities considering whether the collision played a role in their deaths. In addition to the fatalities, eight other residents were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment. Fortunately, by Friday evening, only one of these injured residents remained hospitalized.

The two men charged in connection with the incident are Sam Asgari-Tabar, 21, and Reece Parish, 21, both from Sunderland. Asgari-Tabar faces charges including causing serious injury to a resident by dangerous driving. Both Asgari-Tabar and Parish have also been charged with robbery and kidnap. They are scheduled to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Furthermore, the police revealed that it is alleged a woman, who was present for a proposed sale, was inside the car when it was driven away. She was reportedly forcibly removed from the vehicle a short time later. Northumbria Police confirmed that the woman was left shaken but physically unharmed.

The collision caused substantial structural damage to the Highcliffe Care Home, necessitating the evacuation of all residents. In accordance with protocol, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review the circumstances leading up to the crash.

In a separate legal matter, Reece Parish has also been charged with violent disorder, stemming from events in Sunderland city center on August 2 of the previous year.

The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full impact of this tragic event and ensure accountability for those involved.