Killer driver inhaled hippy crack behind the wheel before crash

Laughing gas was taken by a driver in the moments before his car collided with another vehicle in which two men died.

Michael Morris, 19, from Swanscombe, has been jailed for eight years and eight months after he admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He will also be disqualified from driving for four years.

Morris pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The judge heard how at around 1 am on Saturday, April 29 last year Morris had been travelling on the A20 when he collided with a van.

Michael Crampton and James Montegriffo, both 23, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Morris had serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

He was with four of his friends and was driving his black Vauxhall Insignia car when he lost control and drove onto the wrong side of the road towards the blue Citroen Berlingo van where both vehicles collided head-on.

The van then collided with a white Volkswagen Polo.

Three of Morris’ friends in the Insignia were seriously injured as was a rear passenger in the Polo.

Morris was found to have trace amounts of cannabis and cocaine in his system and was also found to have been travelling at 72mph or higher before the collision. The speed limit is 60mph.

Officers also found Nitrous Oxide capsules and balloons inside the car, with Morris later admitting to using them in the moments before the collision.

Following this discovery DNA matching Morris was found in the neck of a balloon recovered from the driver’s footwell.

Investigating officer, DC David Holmes of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Nitrous Oxide is used recreationally by people and has many side effects which causes people’s reactions to slow down and often gives a feeling of euphoria, drowsiness and loss of muscle control.

“The effects associated with Nitrous Oxide are not compatible with the safe control of a motor vehicle, as it can affect an individual’s judgement leading to reckless or careless behaviour.”