A trio of Harrow men arrested in connection with a crash that killed a Watford father-of-two last year have been released without charge.

Thomas O’Leary, 23, a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, along with two other men, were all arrested after Jason Crane, 40, died on July 16, 2011, when the white van he was a passenger in crashed with a silver Audi in Tylers Way, Watford.

Mr O’Leary, of Carmelite Road, had been the subject of an 11-month manhunt by police before being arrested in June, with the family of Mr Crane, a plumber from Croxley Green, making emotional appeals for information and witnesses.

But Hertfordshire Police announced yesterday all five men had been released.

Inspector Andy Piper, senior investigating officer in the case, said: “This was an extremely serious collision where a man tragically lost his life.

“Understandably Jason’s family have found it very hard to come to terms with what has happened and I would like to thank them for the support they have given the investigating officers throughout this extremely difficult time.

“An inquest will take place in due course.”