A teenager from the UK has been handed a prison sentence following an incident where he inhaled laughing gas and crashed into a tree, resulting in the death of his three friends.
The incident was detailed at Oxford Crown Court, where it was revealed that the vehicle reached a speed of 100mph before the crash occurred.
Thomas Johnson, aged 19, was reportedly inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons while driving at speeds exceeding 100mph on a road with a 30mph limit in Marcham, Oxfordshire, on June 23 of the previous year.
Johnson has been sentenced to nine years in prison after admitting to causing the deaths of his friends.
The crash claimed the lives of Daniel Hancock, 18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, leading their families to criticize Johnson for his reckless behavior and “showing off.”
Footage released by Thames Valley Police appears to show a mobile phone video of Johnson and his friends inhaling nitrous oxide shortly before the car accelerated beyond the speed limit and crashed.
A police statement provided further insight into the tragic event.
It stated: “At the time, possession of nitrous oxide was not a criminal offence, but driving while impaired through drink or drugs is. Nitrous oxide has since become classified as a class C drug.
“At just after midnight on 20 June 2023, Johnson overtook a vehicle at high speed and continued towards Marcham, hitting speeds of approximately 98mph just before the collision.
“He lost control of his car before colliding with a lamppost and a stone wall, before heavily striking a large tree.
“Elliot, Ethan and Daniel sustained catastrophic injuries and all three youngsters tragically died of their injuries at the scene.”
While Johnson also sustained severe injuries, he survived the crash.
Judge Emma Nott addressed the young man as she delivered his sentence on Wednesday (December 18).
She remarked, “You will be forever defined by your teenage mistakes but you will also have a chance to rewrite this definition.”
The judge noted that the severity of Johnson’s injuries impaired his memory of the night’s events.
She further commented, “The severity of your brain injuries mean you have no memory of that night.”
Judge Nott also mentioned that the facial disfigurement Johnson suffered in the crash would serve as a lasting reminder of the actions that resulted in the deaths of his friends.
The victims’ families described Johnson as a “cocky teenager” who was showing off when the tragedy occurred. They also urged others to avoid riding with drivers who disregard the safety of their passengers.