THIS is the moment a teen driver inhaled laughing gas just seconds before he killed his three friends in a 100mph horror crash.
Thomas Johnson was filmed behind the wheel of his BMW sucking in the drug from a balloon as music blared from the speakers.
Thames Valley PoliceThomas Johnson could be seen inhaling laughing gas before the fatal crash[/caption]
His friends also filmed him with a balloon
Hyde News & PicturesJohnson has now been jailed for nine years[/caption]
Thames Valley PoliceThe wreckage of the BMW after the horror[/caption]
The 19-year-old was also captured driving at more than 100mph on a 30mph road as he overtook other cars.
His friends Daniel Hancock, 18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, could be heard laughing and gasping just seconds before the crash.
Johnson then smashed into a tree in Marcham, Oxfordshire – killing all three of his passengers.
The teen, who suffered life-threatening injuries, today pleaded guilty to three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
His victims’ families called him a “cocky teenage boy” as he was jailed for nine years and four months.
They also said he was showing off and urged others “not to be that driver who shows such disregard for their friends’ lives”.
Oxford Crown Court heard the horror unfolded on June 20 last year when Johnson had his licence for less than a year.
Prosecutor Neil Moore said: “It’s quite clear on the evidence that the defendant had been taking nitrous oxide from the canister with the assistance of a balloon to inhale it for some considerable time before the collision.”
In the footage, tyres could be heard screeching as Johnson drifted around a corner at high speed.
Two witnesses said they heard a car skidding or drifting nearby shortly before they were overtaken by a silver BMW.
Moments later they came across the mangled wreckage of the car and called 999.
Police found one canister of nitrous oxide in the driver’s footwell and a further eight were found in the boot of the car, the court heard.
They also discovered the BMW’s electronic stability control had been deliberately switched off.
Johnson later told police he did not remember what happened and claimed he had not used nitrous oxide that year.
He added: “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.”
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.”
Hyde News & PicturesDaniel Hancock was killed in the crash[/caption]
Hyde News & PicturesElliot Pullen also died in the horror[/caption]
Hyde News & PicturesEthan Goddard was travelling in the BMW when it hit a tree[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
