Man needs 24/7 care after 'laughing gas' crash

Mason Thornton left a passenger needing life-long care after crashing on the way back from a party

A driver inhaled nitrous oxide before a car crash which left one of his passengers needing round-the-clock care.

Mason Thornton, 21, from Ingleby Barwick, had inhaled laughing gas moments before crashing on the A1027 Billingham interchange while giving four passengers a lift back from a party on 23 October 2022.

One of the passengers, Harlan Moon, 25, from Billingham, suffered serious injuries which left him needing life-long care.

Thornton appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday where he was jailed for three years and 11 months for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and supplying a psychoactive substance.

Mr Moon's father, Allan Moon, said in a victim impact statement: "I see my son laid in hospital and looking at him, it's Harlan but I know that it isn't my son I knew before the collision.

"I struggle to comprehend this and worry that I will not get my son back."

Insp Stephen Clyburn, of Cleveland Police, said the case was "tragic" and highlighted the dangers of taking nitrous oxide before driving.

"A young man with his whole life ahead of him has been left with serious injuries and will now be in need of life-long care, changing his and his families' lives forever," he added.