Driver pleads guilty to killing three teenage passengers after inhaling laughing gas while driving 100mph

A teenager has pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of three passengers after inhaling nitrous oxide while driving at more than 100mph in Oxfordshire.

Thomas Johnson, 19, admitted three counts of causing death by dangerous driving at Oxford Crown Court today following the fatal crash in Marcham last June.

Daniel Hancock, 18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, all suffered fatal injuries when the BMW struck a tree on Frilford Road.

The court heard Johnson had been inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons while driving at excessive speed in a 30mph zone.

Mobile phone footage taken moments before the crash showed the teenagers laughing and passing nitrous oxide canisters to the front of the vehicle, while Johnson had a balloon to his face.

The sound of tyres screeching can be heard in the video as the vehicle drifted around a corner at high speed.

Prosecutor Neil Moore told the court: “It’s quite clear the defendant was taking nitrous oxide from a balloon for a considerable time.”

Evidence from mobile phones recovered from the car confirmed Johnson had continued to inhale the gas while driving.

Thames Valley Police released an ANPR photo showing the driver and front passenger with balloons to their mouths.

CCTV footage captured the BMW overtaking another vehicle at speeds exceeding 100mph.

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Police investigators discovered the car’s electronic stability control had been deliberately switched off before the crash.

Johnson, who sustained life-threatening injuries in the collision, told police he had no memory of the incident.

In a police interview, Johnson admitted to previous nitrous oxide use before he could drive.

“I remember doing it once last year with a group of friends before I could even drive but I don’t have any recollection after that,” he told officers.

When asked about the effects, Johnson replied: “It made my head feel dizzy.”

He denied using the substance in the current year, stating: “No, not this year.”

The court heard that on the night of the crash, nitrous oxide consumption had taken place over several hours, continuing until just 30 seconds before the collision.

Daniel Hancock’s family said: “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.”

Ethan Goddard was remembered as “a kind, generous, caring young man” who was “always thinking of others” by his family.

The family of Elliot Pullen said: “Elliot was our gorgeous, bright and talented son. 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.”

Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins of Thames Valley Police warned about the dangers of impaired driving, particularly during the festive season.

“Any impairment while driving is inherently dangerous. It is reckless,” he told Sky News.

DS Jenkins explained that nitrous oxide affects a driver’s decision-making abilities.

“In this case, the use of nitrous oxide took place over a number of hours and even up to 30 seconds before the crash consumption was taking place,” he said.

The recreational use of nitrous oxide was banned by the Government in the months following Johnson’s crash, though drug driving was already illegal.