A man who drove his car at dangerously high speeds while under the influence of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has today (18/12) been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving of three young men in Marcham in June 2023.
Thomas Johnson, aged 19, of Stainswick Lane, Shrivenham, pleaded guilty to the offences in a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.
In the same hearing, Johnson was jailed for nine years and four months.
He was also disqualified from driving for 11 years and 11 weeks.
On the evening of 19 June 2023, Johnson had been with a group of friends in Abingdon.
During the evening, Johnson had been inhaling nitrous oxide, which is known to cause significant impairment.
At the time, possession of nitrous oxide was not a criminal offence, but driving while impaired through drink or drugs is.
Nitrous oxide has since become classified as a class C drug.
Later in the evening, Johnson was driving his silver BMW 3 series around the Abingdon area.
In the car with Johnson were three other occupants, Elliot Pullen, who was 17, and Ethan Goddard and Daniel Hancock, who were both 18.
Evidence obtained showed that Johnson drove his car at excessive speeds, approaching 100mph near to the village of Marcham.
Further evidence was found of nitrous oxide use by Johnson, some of this while he was at the wheel of his car.
At just after midnight on 20 June 2023, Johnson overtook a vehicle at high speed and continued towards Marcham, hitting speeds of approximately 98mph just before the collision.
He lost control of his car before colliding with a lamppost and a stone wall, before heavily striking a large tree.
Elliot, Ethan and Daniel sustained catastrophic injuries and all three youngsters tragically died of their injuries at the scene.
Johnson was also critically injured, but survived.
Following the collision, canisters of nitrous oxide were located inside the car, and on the mobile phones of the boys who died, evidence was found of this being used by Johnson while he was driving.
Earlier in the evening, an ANPR still photograph was also captured, which showed the driver, Johnson, apparently inhaling from a balloon, along with his front seat passenger.
Johnson was interviewed about the collision in November 2023, during which, he could not recollect any of the events surrounding the collision or the moments leading up to it, but he accepted he was the driver.
A forensic collision investigator who attended the scene produced a report of his findings, and along with the physical evidence, concluded that Johnson was driving at speeds close to 100mph just prior to the collision.
Evidence was also uncovered that the car’s traction control had been deliberately switched off by Johnson.
A pharmacology expert also confirmed that nitrous oxide use causes disorientation and impairment.
The three boys who died, would have had no chance of survival given the speeds involved.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was without a doubt one of the most catastrophic and tragic collisions I have ever investigated.
“The speeds at which Johnson was driving were staggering, particularly given the road he was driving on.
“Our case was that Johnson had been using nitrous oxide during the evening, and it is apparent from the evidence, that if he was doing this just prior to the collision, as our evidence suggests, he would have been significantly and severely impaired, similar to the impairment you would have if under the influence of alcohol.
“However, there was no evidence that Johnson was intoxicated by any other substance.
“Ethan, Elliot and Daniel stood no chance. They were simply enjoying a night out, and their lives were needlessly and tragically cut short by Johnson’s actions.
“Johnson alone was responsible for these tragic deaths. He will have to live with the consequences of his decisions that night for the rest of his life.
“He did not set out that night to harm anyone, that was never our case. But his decisions did directly and tragically result in the deaths of Ethan, Elliot and Daniel.
“I want to pay tribute to everybody who have been most impacted by this tragic case. No sentence passed down by the courts will ever serve as solace for those who have lost cherished loved ones.
“But over the course of this investigation, it has been truly humbling to witness the dignity, courage and patience shown by the families of Ethan, Elliot and Daniel.
“This incident should never have happened. It was wholly preventable.
“The case shows the very real dangers of driving at speed and driving while impaired.
“The number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads is too high, and we are committed at raising awareness of the risks of speeding and driving while impaired, which are two of the ‘Fatal Four’.
“To the families of Ethan, Elliot and Daniel, I want to thank you for putting your trust in my investigation team. I know how hard this has been for you all, and I hope that you can move on with your lives as best as you can, with the cherished memories you have of your children.”
The family of Elliot Pullen who died in a collision on the A415 in Marcham have released a tribute to him
“Elliot was our gorgeous, bright and talented son, a dearly loved brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin.
“He had many passions including football, especially Liverpool FC, learning to drive with his Dad, riding motorbikes, eating out, attending live events and spending time with his friends, who were so important to him.
“Elliot was adored by his younger cousins who loved nothing more than to demand his attention, despite his intention of remaining a super cool teenager. He had a gorgeous smile, a cheeky glint in his eye, he was always well dressed, and it appeared, had a different hairstyle every few weeks.
“He was nearing the end of his IT apprenticeship qualification and had been working with a wonderful local company for nearly two years, who welcomed him into their family, and described him as ‘a bright, talented and well-liked team member, with an amazing career ahead of him.’ They added ‘he was adored and admired by his colleagues and will be greatly missed.’
“Elliot lived his life to the full and he was planning his upcoming 18th birthday celebrations and should have had an amazingly bright future ahead of him, a life of adventures and seeing the world. It has now been cut short by this awful tragedy, leaving behind a shattered family who will miss Elliot beyond words.
“We need time as a family to process the devastation to all our lives and ask that people are respectful of this at a truly heart-breaking time.”
The family of Daniel Hancock, who tragically died in a road traffic collision in Marcham have released a tribute to him
“Anyone who is, or has been, the parent of a teenage boy, will know the worry you feel when they begin to venture into the world without you by their side.
“Our worst fears were realised so tragically in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
“We take some solace in the fact that Daniel lived every day to its fullest, surrounded by friends who became family.
“We are heartbroken that his last day to do this has come so early.
“To his friends, he loved you all.
“Please don’t take risks that you can’t come back from.
“We loved Daniel beyond words and always will.
“We send our love and condolences to all the other families affected.”
The family of Ethan Goddard, who tragically died following a road traffic collision on the A415 in Marcham have released a tribute to him.
“Ethan was known to all his family and friends as a kind, generous, caring, always thinking of others, young man, with a great sense of humour.
“He was a very loving son, protective brother, caring grandson, much-loved nephew, kindest boyfriend and loyal friend.
“Ethan was very passionate about the things he loved. He was hard-working, enjoyed his part-time job, while studying engineering at college.
“He loved his co-workers.
“As a child, Ethan had a passion for scooters and then mountain bikes, progressing on to dirt bikes and then cars.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the fine young man he was turning into.
“We will always love him and he will be missed by many, not just us.
“Our thoughts are with all the other families and friends at this extremely sad time and our hearts go out to you all.”
