Man jailed for Christmas Day crash that injured five passengers
Kevin Thompson was sentenced to three years and five months in prison
Last updated 17th Dec 2025
A Blackpool man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after a Christmas Day crash in 2023 left five people, including children, seriously injured.
Kevin Thompson, 44, of no fixed address, had spent Christmas Day drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel of his Mercedes CLA 220. Witnesses reported seeing him consume large amounts of alcohol, including a bottle of rum he had received as a Christmas gift.
Shortly before 10:30pm, Thompson crashed on Common Edge Road, Blackpool, after reportedly speeding at around 70mph and using his phone. Witnesses shouted at him to slow down moments before the collision.
The car contained five passengers, including three teenage boys aged 13, 15, and 17, a 17-year-old girl, and a woman in her 30s. One passenger was seated on another’s knee without a seatbelt. All sustained multiple serious injuries in the crash.
Thompson was detained at the scene and provided a roadside breath test reading of 91 micrograms of alcohol, well above the legal limit of 35. He refused to provide a drug sample. At the scene, he admitted to police, “I was driving, it’s my fault, I’m bad,” acknowledging responsibility for the crash.
Despite these statements, Thompson later chose to answer “no comment” during police interviews. He was charged with five counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and failing to cooperate with a preliminary test.
At Sessions House, Preston, Thompson was sentenced to three years and five months in prison and banned from driving for four years and six months.
Sgt Paul McCurrie, of our Roads Policing Unit said:
“As a consequence, the next few of his Christmases will be spent behind bars.
“The collision left five people with serious injuries; it caused a significant amount of damage and was an upsetting sight for the witnesses who were simply going about their Christmas day. I am pleased that he has been brought to justice, and I hope that this sends a message to anyone who thinks it is ok to drink drive.
“When we tell you about Op Limit, and our drink drug drive activity, we’re often met with people saying we are spoiling their festive fun. We’re not – their irresponsible acts of driving impaired are putting people in danger and could easily ruin a lot more than your Christmas party.
“So, this season, when you’re out and about, or celebrating with loved ones and have had a drink, don’t get behind the wheel.”