Teens killed in crash remembered at half marathon

Relatives of a 17-year-old boy who died in a car crash along with two other teenagers will run a half-marathon later in their memory.

Elliot Pullen was the front-seat passenger in a BMW that hit a tree beside the A415 in Marcham, Oxfordshire, in June 2023.

Two passengers in the rear seats – Daniel Hancock and Ethan Goddard, both aged 18 – also died, while the driver was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Elliot’s sister Mia Pullen and his aunts Laura Oakes and Jess Pagan-Davies will run the Oxford half marathon to raise money for the charity Roadpeace, which helps crash victims and bereaved families.

Ms Oakes, 41, from Drayton added: “This is my fifth time. I’ve run for lots of different charities.

“This one is going to be the toughest one, physically, mentally and emotionally.

“We’re doing it for the boys. We’re hopefully going to raise lots of money and raise lots of awareness,” she said.

“I think the only thing you can do is somehow create a positive out of a truly massive negative.”

Supporters have so far pledged more than £1,800 on Ms Oakes’ online fundraising page.

Ms Pullen’s boyfriend Riley Hickman is the fourth member of the family race team.

Thomas Johnson, 19, of Stainswick Lane in Shrivenham has been charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He is due to appear before Oxford magistrates on Tuesday.