A motorist who breathed in laughing gas while driving has admitted to causing the deaths of his three teenage passengers in a high-speed collision.
Thomas Johnson, 19, acknowledged consuming nitrous oxide from balloons while operating the vehicle and reaching speeds exceeding 100mph on a road with a designated speed limit of 30mph.
He entered a guilty plea today at Oxford Crown Court.
Daniel Hancock, 18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, perished in the incident that occurred in Marcham, Oxfordshire, during June of the previous year.
Video footage captured from a mobile phone inside the vehicle shortly before the crash depicted the young men laughing and passing nitrous oxide canisters around while Johnson held a balloon to his face.
The sound of screeching tires was audible as the car maneuvered a corner at dangerously high velocity.
Thames Valley Police released an ANPR image capturing the driver and front passenger with balloons at their mouths.
Surveillance footage depicted the car overtaking another vehicle while traveling at speeds over 100mph. Authorities reported that the car’s electronic stability control had been intentionally disabled.
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Johnson, who suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident, stated that he does not recall the events surrounding the crash.
During a police interview following the incident, he admitted to being aware of the dangers involved.
When asked if he had ever used nitrous oxide, Johnson replied: “No, not this year. I recall trying it once last year with some friends before I had my driving license, but I don’t remember anything after that.”
When questioned about the effects, Johnson stated: “It made my head feel light.”
Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins from the serious collisions investigation unit at Thames Valley Police emphasized that nitrous oxide can impair a driver’s capacity to make sound judgments.
He cautioned against the dangers of driving while under the influence, particularly during the Christmas season when celebratory spirits are heightened.
“Any impairment while driving is exceedingly perilous. It is irresponsible,” he expressed to Sky News.
“In this incident, the consumption of nitrous oxide occurred over several hours, extending even up to 30 seconds before the crash took place.”
The recreational use of nitrous oxide was prohibited by the government several months after Johnson’s car accident, although operating a vehicle under the influence has long been against the law.