Teesside, UK – Mason Thornton, 21, of Ingleby Barwick, has been sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and supplying a psychoactive substance.
The sentencing follows a tragic car crash on October 23, 2022, which left one of his passengers, Harlan Moon, 25, from Billingham, with life-altering injuries.
Thornton, who had been inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, before the crash, was driving four passengers back from a party when he lost control of the vehicle at the A1027 Billingham interchange. The vehicle veered off the road and collided violently, resulting in significant injuries to Moon.
Moon, who sustained severe injuries in the collision, now requires round-the-clock care and will need lifelong support due to the extent of his damage.
His father, Allan Moon, expressed his heartbreak in a victim impact statement read at Teesside Crown Court.
“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,” Allan Moon said. “I struggle to comprehend this and worry that I will not get my son back.”
The court heard that Thornton’s reckless behavior, influenced by the inhalation of nitrous oxide, directly contributed to the catastrophic crash.
In addition to the prison sentence, Thornton was also convicted of supplying nitrous oxide, a psychoactive substance commonly misused for its euphoric effects.
Inspector Stephen Clyburn of Cleveland Police remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating, “This case is tragic and underscores the severe dangers of using nitrous oxide before driving. A young man with his whole life ahead of him has been left with serious injuries and will now require life-long care, forever altering his and his family’s lives.”
The sentencing has brought to light the hazardous practice of using nitrous oxide and its severe implications when combined with driving.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of substance misuse and the critical importance of responsible behavior on the roads.
Thornton’s conviction is a significant development in addressing dangerous driving and the misuse of psychoactive substances, sending a clear message about the consequences of such reckless actions.
