Teenager jailed for causing death of three young men in Marcham crash

A teenage driver who caused the death of three young men in a high-speed crash has been jailed for nine years and four months.

Nineteen-year-old Thomas Johnson reached speeds of 100mph as he was driving along the A415 in Oxfordshire on the evening of 20 June last year.

As he entered the village of Marcham, travelling at more than three times the speed limit, he lost control of his BMW, careered off the road and crashed into a tree.

His three teenage passengers, Elliot Pullen, 17, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Daniel Hancock, 18, all died at the scene. Johnson was seriously injured.

Johnson’s excessive speeds, witnessed by another driver, were confirmed through data retrieved by a forensic collision investigator, and evidence from the young men’s phones showed that he had been inhaling nitrous oxide while driving.

A witness also saw Johnson inhaling nitrous oxide earlier in the evening, and cannisters were found in the footwell of the car.

Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Bill Khindey said: “Thomas Johnson’s disregard for the safety of others that night was clear. His dangerous driving had devastating consequences – tragically cutting short the lives of three young men. This is a responsibility he must reflect on as he serves his time in prison.

“We recognise that no sentence can alleviate the pain suffered by the families of Elliot, Ethan and Daniel, and our thoughts remain with them.”

Johnson was sentenced to nine years and four months at Oxford Crown Court on 18 December 2024. He was also disqualified from driving for 11 years and 11 weeks.