A driver was arrested after inhaling nitrous oxide laughing gas and driving a truck off a bridge…

31 October 2023, 15:11

Cameron Hughes, 23, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years and banned from driving for almost nine years, after killing Bonnie Barrow, 15, in the crash.

On July 7, her cousin, Cameron Hughes, 23, was driving Bonnie Barrow to her family, before the truck crashed through a metal barrier into a ravine five meters below.

He had picked up the girl from Manchester and was driving Bonnie to Great Harwood to have dinner with her family, who had recently moved there

Before Hughes drove his Mercedes Sprinter off the bridge, Boney filmed him inhaling laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide, through a yellow balloon and using Snapchat on his phone.

A man high on nitrous oxide crashes a car

During the 35-minute trip, Hughes was in numerous close calls with other vehicles, such as driving on the hard shoulder, crossing lanes and bouncing off the curb onto the edge of the road at speeds in excess of 60 mph.

Bonnie was seriously injured and died the next day at Wythenshawe Hospital.

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Hughes was thrown from his truck and suffered minor injuries.

Hughes was admitted to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, August 17.

On Tuesday, October 30, he was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and banned from driving for eight years and nine months.

Paying tribute to their daughter, Bonnie’s family said: “Bonnie was a wonderful daughter, she was kind and loving and always wanted to spend time with her family and friends.

“I loved doing all the things teenagers do especially dancing, singing, shopping and making TikTok videos that we cherish.

“We cherish her memories and the joy she brought us throughout the 15 years she was in our lives. We all miss her very much and would do anything to have her back.

“Cameron had one job that day – to get Bonnie back to us safely. But he made dangerous choices that led to her death and cost us the opportunity to watch her fully blossom into the beautiful young woman she was going to become.

“Bonnie – I am so proud to be your mother. The love and laughter you brought into our lives can never be replaced. And even though we are now apart, I always have my hand outstretched if I need you to hold it.”

The Manchester Evening News reported that Judge Heather Lloyd told Hughes: “This was an absolutely horrific driving experience and the life of a 15-year-old was needlessly snuffed out.

“It’s a miracle that no one else was wiped out, including you.

“This was a tragedy waiting to happen.”

Sergeant Laura Kendall, of Lancashire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Bonnie was a much-loved teenager whose life was so cruelly taken. My heart goes out to her family and friends who are deeply affected by her tragic loss.”

“Cameron Hughes is entirely responsible for what happened that day in July.

“He chose to take nitrous oxide while driving, use his mobile phone while driving and drive dangerously.

“These avoidable actions led to the devastating collision that caused Bonnie’s death.”

Sergeant Matt Davidson from the same unit said: “All too often we see the consequences for drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide. Many consider it a harmless drug, but as shown here, the consequences of its misuse can be fatal.

On November 8, 2023, nitrous oxide will become a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.