Laughing gas driver of fatal Marcham crash jailed
The 19 year old pleaded guilty to causing deaths by dangerous driving of Ethan Goddard, 18, and Daniel Hancock, 18, and 17-year-old Elliot Pullen
Last updated 18th Dec 2024
A 19 year old from Oxfordshire charged in connection with a fatal crash which killed three teenagers, has pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court today and has been sentenced to nine years and four months prison.
Thomas Johnson, aged 19, of Stainswick Lane, Shrivenham, accepted three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
It's after the shocking crash which happened in Marcham on the A415 in June 2023.
Ethan Goddard and Daniel Hancock who were both 18-years-old, and Elliot Pullen, who was aged 17, all tragically died in the collision.
CCTV footage showed him driving at nearly 100mph in a 30mph zone.
A witness said Johnson's car sped towards Marcham after overtaking and the defendant lost control of the car and it struck a tree.
Laughing Gas:
The court heard nine laughing gas canisters were found in the car. Video footage from phones in the car showed Johnson inhaling the gas, the effects include visual impairment.
Prosecuting, Neil Moore, says the evidence "clearly" shows him "driving with a full balloon in his mouth" and "continued to inhale whilst driving the vehicle".
Mr Moore also says that Johnson "seemingly constantly" inhaled laughing gas for four hours which "built-up in the car even when it's not being used".
Evidence from an ANPR camera shows Johnson with a balloon in his mouth at 8:17pm.
'drifting' and 'skidding'
Witnesses were the first to arrive at the scene of the crash, a statement heard how they remembered Johnson's car making "drifting" and "skidding" noises and that he was also "driving on the wrong side of the road".
The court heard the traction control on the car had been turned off. This applies the break to slow the car down if there is a loss of traction.
Johnson who was 18-year-old at the time of the crash, suffered life-threatening injuries in the collision which happened at around 12.10am.
Remarks:
Judge Emma Nott KC when sentencing: "Your passengers will never see the end of their teenage years.
"I've listened to the victim personal statements. The pain that each expressed is unimaginable and will endure. Their compassion towards you is remarkable.
"No sentence can reflect their collective losses or grief."
Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins 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."
He added: "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."
Defending Johnson, Mr Haslam says he is "utterly terrified of what is about to happen but accepts that he fully deserves it".
He added: "No punishment could ever be worse than what happened that night."
Tribute from Elliots family
Elliot was our beautiful, bright and talented son, a dearly loved brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin. He was funny, with a gorgeous smile, a cheeky glint in his eye, always well dressed, and such great company.
He was hugely adored by his younger cousins, who loved nothing more than to demand his attention, and he generously played endless games with them.
He was always the most popular and in demand guest at regular extended family meals and the family has wonderful shared memories of their time with Elliot.
Elliot 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’s great interpersonal, IT and team-working skills were a huge asset when applying for an apprenticeship role with PMC Retail, in Abingdon.
His parents, Kate and Giles, will be forever grateful to the PMC Family Team, and particularly his line manager, Elliott Winskill, for the hugely positive impact they had on Elliot during the last two years of his life, which was incredibly enriched by being part of an amazing group of people who provided the opportunities for him to fulfill his potential.
His PMC colleagues described Elliot as “a bright, talented and well-liked team member, with an amazing career ahead of him who was adored and admired by his colleagues and will be greatly missed.”
Following Elliot’s death, PMC Retail have become an important part of our family’s life. They have provided us with much comfort and support, honouring Elliot’s memory by organising a marathon sponsored walk and bike ride on behalf of the Road Safety charity, Brake, where they raised over £10,000.
Along with our close family and friends, we were able to join Elliot’s PMC Colleagues to remember and celebrate his life just after the first anniversary of his death, which meant a huge amount to us.
Tribute to Ethan from his family
They said: “Ethan, known affectionately as “Spud” was a fun, loving, kind, generous, caring young lad, always thinking of others, and getting the most out of life.
“He was a very loving, thoughtful son, protective brother of his twin sisters, caring grandson, nephew, boyfriend and loyal friend.
“He never complained about having to go to school and received a 100% attendance award for the “whole” of his time at Fitzharrys School, Abingdon.
“He was very committed to Tae Kwon-do for five years, working his way up the belts. He would get extremely nervous before a grading but always gave it 100% and didn’t let his nerves get the better of him.
“As he got older and became more independent, he started his first job as a paperboy for the Oxford Mail.
“Then lockdown happened, but he never missed a day! He always got himself up and out the door on time to deliver the paper before school.
“He would come home very excited when his customers left him a tip at Christmas and he would always write them a little card to say, ‘thank you’.
“He enjoyed studying engineering at Abingdon & Witney College, took his exams but unfortunately never learned how well he had achieved in them.
“He had an interview for a full time engineering role the morning after the accident and had laid his clothes out and cleaned his shoes in preparation.
“While at Abingdon & Witney College, he worked at Pizza Express, where he continued his hard-working ethic, loved his work colleagues, and talked about them fondly.
“Here he saved his wages to buy his first car. A Mercedes, his pride and joy.
“He will also be remembered for his many wild and wacky hairstyles from “surfer dude”, his bright purple/pink hair, to a perm!
“Ethan was loved so very much and made his family so proud of the young man he was turning out to be.
“His parents will always be so extremely grateful for making them the “Mum” and the “Dad” they so desperately wanted to be.”
Tribute to Daniel by his family
They said: “Daniel was a very much-loved son, big brother, grandson and friend. He had just turned 18 and had so much life left to live.
“He had such a big heart and cared deeply for his family and friends. He was kind, bright, funny, out-going; he could light up any room with his smile and laughter. Every day without him, and Elliot and Ethan, is a tragedy for all that loved them.
“Daniel died three miles from home in a completely avoidable crash.
“Please don’t be that driver who shows such disregard for their friends’ lives.
“Please don’t put yourself in the position of being a passenger of such a driver. Please learn from this, an opportunity that the boys were not fortunate enough to be given.
“The grief and sadness of losing Daniel is personal and belongs only to those lucky enough to have known him.
“As a family, we have shared a glimpse of our pain in the hope that it may prevent more lives being lost in such a senseless way.
“Daniel was truly loved and will always be missed.
“He was caring, generous and selfless.
“If the measure of a person’s life was by the impact they had on those around them, then his was a life well lived.
“His absence is felt deeply by so many people. He is irreplaceable.”