In a harrowing twist that is set to send shockwaves through the village of Emmerdale, Jimmy King is left fighting for his life after a brutal hit-and-run that implicates none other than Joe Tate — his long-standing enemy. The incident throws the already simmering tensions between the King family and the Tates into a full-blown war, leaving fans reeling and asking one burning question: Was this an accident… or attempted murder?

A Collision Fueled by Rage

Next week’s explosive episodes mark a major turning point in Emmerdale, as what begins as a battle over justice for young Clemmy spirals into a potential act of revenge that could change everything.

It all begins when the police make a controversial decision not to pursue further action against Carl, following his shocking act of sharing an indecent image of Clemmy. The move sends Dawn Fletcher into an emotional tailspin. She views Clemmy as her own daughter and is devastated by the lack of consequences. Her heartbreak is shared — and amplified — by her partner, Joe Tate.

An Emmerdale insider reveals:

“Joe knows how protective Dawn is of Clemmy. She blames herself for the whole ordeal, and Joe feels just as helpless. He wants justice, and he’s willing to take it into his own hands.”

This sets the stage for a moment of fury-fueled recklessness that will have lasting consequences.

The Incident: Accident or Intent?

Still fuming over the injustice, Joe gets behind the wheel. His mind clouded with anger, he speeds out of the village — not fully aware of his surroundings. In one heart-stopping moment, Joe takes his eyes off the road, and before he realizes what’s happened, there’s a sickening thud.

He’s hit someone.

And when he jumps out of the car, his blood runs cold.

It’s Jimmy King.

A man he’s clashed with for years.

The impact of the scene is immediate and visceral. Jimmy is left battered and unconscious, sprawled on the cold tarmac. Joe, shaken to his core, stands frozen — the weight of what’s just happened sinking in.

But the nightmare doesn’t end there. Someone saw everything.

A Witness to the Wreckage

As Joe processes the enormity of the situation, he notices a figure in the distance. Caleb Milligan. He saw it all. There’s no walking away now. With no other option, Joe calls emergency services.

“The whole thing happened in a split second,” an Emmerdale source confirms. “Joe is horrified. This wasn’t premeditated — but given the context, it looks very, very bad.”

Jimmy is rushed to the hospital in critical condition. And while Joe insists the crash was accidental, the village — and especially Nicola King — is far from convinced.

Nicola Declares War

The moment Nicola King receives word that her husband has been hit by a car, she drops everything. Her arrival at the hospital is frantic, desperate, and charged with fear. But fear soon gives way to fury.

When she sees police speaking with Joe, she leaps to conclusions — and they’re deadly serious.

“She’s convinced Joe did this on purpose,” says the source. “And nothing he says is going to change her mind.”

In Nicola’s eyes, this was no accident. It was a calculated hit — revenge, plain and simple, for the feud between their families. Joe might deny it, might swear he lost control — but Nicola is already building her case. And she’s not just sharing it with the police; she’s broadcasting it to the entire village.

The consequences? Explosive.

Feud Turns Fatal

This isn’t just a family argument anymore — it’s war. What began as a bitter dispute between kids has escalated into something far more dangerous. A man is in a hospital bed. Another might be facing prison. And two families are ready to destroy each other.

Nicola, always fierce and formidable, isn’t holding back. She plans to expose every grudge Joe has ever held against Jimmy. Every barbed word, every veiled threat — she’s turning it all into evidence.

And while Dawn had hoped the families could move past the trauma of the Clemmy incident, those hopes have crumbled. Joe’s actions — intentional or not — have reignited every bitter memory, every wound that never quite healed.

“Dawn thought they could find closure. Nicola’s made sure that’s off the table now,” the insider adds. “She’s telling anyone who’ll listen that Joe tried to kill her husband.”

Joe Tate: Villain or Victim?

In the aftermath, Joe finds himself isolated. Dawn is torn — she knows his heart, but she can’t ignore the consequences. Caleb’s statement looms over everything. Did he see malice in Joe’s eyes? Or just a man who lost control?

The ambiguity is what makes this story so compelling. Joe didn’t wake up with a plan to run Jimmy over — but the rage was real. The history between them is toxic. And in soapland, that’s enough to spark a fire that can burn for years.

The accident isn’t clean. It’s messy. Emotional. Dangerous. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.

What’s Next?

With Jimmy’s fate hanging in the balance, Joe facing police scrutiny, and Nicola launching a one-woman campaign to bring the Tates down, Emmerdale is entering one of its most dramatic chapters yet.

Will Jimmy survive? Will Joe be arrested — or forgiven? Can Dawn and Nicola ever be in the same room again without fireworks?

One thing is certain: the village will never be the same.

Stay tuned. Because in Emmerdale, revenge doesn’t always wait for justice — sometimes, it hits you like a speeding car.