Teenagers killed in crash remember half marathon

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

Elliot Pullen was the front passenger in a BMW which hit a tree next to the A415 in Marcham, Oxfordshire, in June 2023.

Two rear seat passengers – 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 aunts Laura Oakes and Jess Pagan-Davies will run the Oxford Half Marathon to raise money for the Roadpeace charity, which helps accident victims and families bereaved.

Ms Oakes said the family had endured an “unbelievable nightmare” after the accident, which happened shortly after midnight on June 20.

She said: “We live it every day and we miss him every day, so we just hope to make him proud on Sunday.”

Ms Oakes, 41, from Drayton, added: “This is my fifth time. I have run for many different charities.

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

“We’re doing it for the boys. We’re hoping to raise a lot of money and awareness,” she said.

“I think the only thing you can do is somehow create positive out of a really 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 racing team.

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

He is due to appear before Oxford magistrates on Tuesday.

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