Crash driver indicates guilty pleas over teen deaths

Three photos of Daniel Hancock, Elliot Pullen, and Ethan Goddard. Daniel wears a white t-shirt and gold chain.  Elliot wears a black top with an orange 'Dsquared2 Icon' logo. Ethan wears a black t-shirt.Image source, Thames Valley Police
Image caption,

Abingdon teenagers Daniel Hancock, Elliot Pullen, and Ethan Goddard died in the crash

  • Published

A 19-year-old driver has indicated guilty pleas after the death of three teenagers in a crash.

Thomas Johnson, who was seriously injured when the BMW he was driving hit a tree in Marcham, Oxfordshire, appeared before magistrates earlier charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Daniel Hancock,18, Ethan Goddard, 18, and Elliot Pullen, 17, all from Abingdon, were killed in the crash on 20 June 2023.

No formal pleas could be entered but his lawyer said Mr Johnson wished it to be included in the public record that he intended to plead guilty to all three counts at his first crown court plea hearing.

Image caption,

Thomas Johnson, 19, arriving at Oxford Magistrates' Court

The crash happened in the early hours on the A415 near Abingdon.

The families of the three teenagers who died were all in court.

Mr Johnson, from Shrivenham, who suffered life-threatening injuries and spent months in hospital recovering, spoke only to confirm his identity and address.

He was released on unconditional bail at Oxford Magistrates' Court and is due to appear at Oxford Crown Court on 14 November.

Image caption,

Tributes were left at the crash site in Marcham

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