A teenage driver has been sentenced to prison following a fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of three passengers. Thomas Johnson, 19, inhaled laughing gas and drove over 100 mph before the tragic incident.

On the night of June 19, 2023, Johnson was driving a BMW 3 series with three teenage passengers—Elliot Pullen, 17; Ethan Goddard, 18; and Daniel Hancock, 18—when he crashed on the A415 in Marcham, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The vehicle struck a lamppost, a stone wall, and subsequently collided with a large tree.

Forensic investigations revealed that Johnson was traveling at speeds of 87 mph in a 30 mph zone and exceeded 100 mph before losing control. After the collision, police found canisters of nitrous oxide in the car and on the mobile phones of the deceased, indicating Johnson had used the gas while driving.

Johnson, who resides on Stainswick Lane in Shrivenham, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Oxford Crown Court. He was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison and received an 11-year, 11-week driving ban.

Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit stated, “This was one of the most catastrophic and tragic collisions I have ever investigated." He pointed out the alarming speeds Johnson was driving, particularly on a restricted road.

Jenkins further commented that Johnson’s use of nitrous oxide likely severely impaired his driving abilities, akin to being under the influence of alcohol. He confirmed there was no evidence of intoxication from any other substances.

“Ethan, Elliot and Daniel stood no chance. Their lives were needlessly cut short by Johnson’s recklessness,” Jenkins lamented, noting that Johnson will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

On the evening of June 19, Johnson inhaled nitrous oxide while socializing with friends in Abingdon. At that time, possession of nitrous oxide was not a criminal offense, though driving impaired was illegal. Nitrous oxide has since been classified as a class C drug.

Shortly after midnight on June 20, Johnson drove at high speed toward Marcham, overtaking vehicles and reaching approximately 98 mph before crashing. The collision resulted in catastrophic injuries to his passengers, who tragically died at the scene, while Johnson sustained critical injuries but survived.

An ANPR still photograph captured earlier in the evening showed Johnson inhaling from a balloon with a passenger. During an interview in November 2023, Johnson could not recall the events surrounding the collision but acknowledged that he was the driver.