Bolton driver took laughing gas before woman killed in crash

A man who caused a fatal crash after using nitrous oxide while driving has been jailed.

Mohammed Irshad, 36, of no fixed address, had inhaled the substance – also known as laughing gas – before he drove his Mercedes into a Nissan on the opposite carriageway of St Helen’s Road, Bolton, in 22 June 2024, Greater Manchester Police said.

Karen Kimblin, 63, who was a passenger in the Nissan, died while her husband Ken, who was driving, was seriously injured.

He was found guilty of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and sentenced to 10 years at Bolton Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years following his release from jail.

Mrs Kimblin, who had worked as a nurse, was described by her husband as “the most loving and caring woman, and a beloved mum and grandma”.

The couple were married for 43 years and Mr Kimblin said: “To this day, I still can’t believe that I’ll never see Karen again.”

He said their future plans had been “cruelly ripped away”, adding that his wife was the “greatest thing that happened to me and she was very highly thought of by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her”.

The family’s lawyer said the aftermath of the crash had been “incredibly tough” for them.

“Not only has Ken understandably struggled with the death of his beloved wife, but he has also had to come to terms with his own injuries which continue to affect him physically and psychologically,” they said.

“Nothing will ever make up for what’s happened, but we hope that this incident acts as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences families can be left to face and for the need to stay safe on the roads.”

Det Con Aarron Cramer described Irshad’s actions as a “tragic but avoidable outcome for all involved”.

“I hope this sentence also serves as a warning and a reminder of the importance of adhering to the rules of the road,” he added.