A pub landlord lost control of his car before crashing head-on with another vehicle in a fatal Christmas Day crash, an inquest has heard.

Thomas Pritchard, 31, who was the landlord and head chef of The Fox Inn at Boars Hill, died following a two-vehicle crash on the A338 between East Hanney and Frilford near Wantage last year.

The crash also claimed the life of Jean Elizabeth Houston, 61, who died at the scene. 

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The inquest into the death of Mr Pritchard took place at Oxford Coroner's Court on Monday (November 25) and was led by coroner Nicholas Graham. 

Mr Pritchard, of Fox Lane, Boars Hill, was driving a White Peugeot 208 on the A338 southbound on Christmas Day 2023.

The court heard evidence from PC Christopher Lewis from the Thames Valley Police Forensic Collision Investigation Team.

At approximately 11.15am, Mr Pritchard crossed the central line of the 50mph dual carriageway, resulting in a head-on collision with a red Mini Cooper which was travelling northbound, the court heard. 

Both vehicles left the road, which was around a mile north of the village of East Hanney, as a result of the collision.

Ms Houston, who was driving the Mini, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. 

The court heard that Ms Houston was "unable to avoid" the oncoming car, and PC Lewis said evidence from the scene indicated the Peugeot was "almost completely on the incorrect side of the road".

Mr Pritchard sustained "extensive injuries" in the collision and was taken to the John Radcliffe in Headington, where "despite treatment", he died on January 17, just a week before his 32nd birthday.

The only witness to the collision was Paul Higginson, Ms Houston's partner and a passenger in her car at the time.

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The court heard there were a number of factors which may have contributed to Mr Pritchard losing control of the car. 

MOT records suggested Mr Pritchard drove 5,000 miles per year, suggesting he was an “experienced driver”.

PC Lewis told the court that Mr Pritchard tested negative for alcohol and cannabis, however, an initial saliva swab indicated a “positive presence of cocaine”.

Thomas Pritchard (Image: Contributed/TVP) The court heard that usually this would be followed by a blood test, but this could not be undertaken due to “insufficient samples” because of Mr Pritchard's condition.

PC Lewis said impairment therefore "cannot be eliminated" as a contributing factor to Mr Pritchard losing control of the car.

However, it was stressed these tests are “simply a mechanism” to consider further investigation, and that this could have been a "false positive".

The court heart there are multiple bends and narrow sections leading up to where the collision happened and weather conditions were "fair".

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PC Lewis told the court evidence suggests “no significant speed” was involved in the crash, and the car was estimated to be travelling at around the speed limit at the time of collision.

The court heard Mr Pritchard had ischaemic heart disease, and PC Lewis said this "cannot be excluded" as a contributing factor to the collision.

PC Lewis added that Mr Pritchard's phone could not be accessed after the collision and therefore driver distraction could also not be eliminated as a contributing factor. 

Concluding the inquest, Mr Graham said Mr Pritchard died from complications - which included Bronchopneumonia  - associated with his injuries.

However, Mr Graham said a conclusion could not be reached on why Mr Pritchard lost control of the vehicle, adding that the reason "could not be definitively established from the evidence". 

An inquest was held into the death of Jean Elizabeth Houston on the same day and there will be a separate report on this on our website soon.

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