**Three Teenagers Killed in High-Speed Crash After Driver, 17, Passes Test**
A recently licenced 17-year-old driver and two of his friends lost their lives in a devastating car accident in Shropshire, only a day after the young motorist had passed his driving test, an inquest has heard. The collision, involving a white Audi A1, occurred late at night on Offoxey Road, Tong, near Shifnal, a stretch noted for its uneven surface and abundance of potholes.
Jenson Bridges, who had been named head boy at his school in Brewood, Staffordshire, was behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Accompanying him were Simon Evans, 18, a taekwondo world champion, and Jacob Holman, 17, who worked at a local restaurant. A fourth passenger, George Taylor, 17, miraculously survived but was left with life-altering injuries as a result of the collision, which took place just after 11pm on 14 March this year.
The inquest at Shrewsbury Guildhall revealed disturbing details about the moments leading up to the tragedy. According to friends, the newly qualified driver had met up with a group of peers to celebrate his achievement and had set out in convoy with two other vehicles — a Vauxhall Corsa and a Volkswagen Golf. During this gathering, it was reported that Jenson turned off the vehicle’s traction control, telling his friends he wanted to “wheelspin” as he accelerated away from the group.
Eyewitness accounts provided to investigators indicated that Jenson’s Audi was travelling markedly faster than the 60mph national speed limit for rural roads. Several friends stated that the car’s speed may have reached up to 95mph prior to the accident. The official police report noted the condition of Offoxey Road as poor, with a number of bumps and potholes.
At the site of the accident, the car’s speedometer had frozen at 37mph, although collision experts determined this reading was unreliable due to the violence of the crash. Investigators concluded that the Audi had struck a bump, sending it onto the verge, ploughing through a hedgerow before smashing into a tree with catastrophic force. The coroner confirmed that the car’s front end was severely crushed and a wheel was torn from the chassis by the impact.
Despite concerted life-saving efforts from friends who arrived moments after the crash, Jenson and Jacob succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Simon Evans, meanwhile, was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene as a result of multiple traumatic injuries. All three boys were confirmed to have been wearing seatbelts at the time.
Assistant Coroner Heath Westerman concluded that the accident was brought about entirely by the “naivety” and “inexperience” of a young driver who had just acquired his licence. He firmly stated there was no evidence to suggest that vehicle defect, road condition, or unlawful racing played a part. Instead, excessive speed combined with the driver’s lack of familiarity with handling a powerful vehicle filled with passengers on a hazardous road were pivotal factors.
The Audi, inspected following the crash, was found to have no mechanical issues, and Jenson Bridges tested negative for alcohol and drugs. This further pointed to driver error rather than external factors.
The aftermath of this incident has left family, friends, and the wider community in mourning. Tributes have flooded in, describing Jacob Holman as “funny, loving and caring,” and Simon Evans as a “loving and kind gentleman” who was always smiling. Jenson’s family spoke of his zest for life and the purity of his heart, remembering a teenager who “loved life and lived it to the full”.
This case poignantly highlights the risks faced by newly qualified drivers, particularly young men, and underlines the devastating consequences when inexperience is combined with speed and a sense of invulnerability. Road safety campaigners and bereaved families alike have called for further education and possible reviews of post-test restrictions for those new to the road in a bid to prevent future tragedies of this kind.
The tragedy continues to reverberate through the local area, serving as a harrowing warning about the critical importance of responsible driving and the fragile nature of young life.