St Annes man, 21, pleads guilty to causing death of Thornton NHS worker Thomas Pritchard, 29, in Lytham crash

A Fylde coast man has pleaded guilty to causing the death of 29-year-old Thomas Pritchard in a crash in Lytham in 2025.

Thomas Pritchard, from Thornton, was killed when his Mini John Cooper Works car crashed into a tree and caught fire in Ballam Road at around 10pm on Wednesday, April 23 2025. Yesterday, Thomas Boustead, 21, pleaded guilty to causing the death of NHS worker Thomas Pritchard by dangerous driving during a hearing at Preston Crown Court.

Two other men who were involved in the incident - Luis Williams, 25 and Sean Griggs, 21 - issued no pleas on their charges of dangerous driving due to issues over representation.

Thomas Pritchard was described as a ‘helpful young man’ who had his ‘whole life ahead of him’ by family members following the tragic incident. He worked for the NHS in an admin role and was about to move into a new house with his long-time partner just before his death.

Boustead, of Glen Eldon Road, St Annes; Williams, of Main Street, Carnforth; and Griggs, of Langdale Road, Blackpool, were all granted bail by The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham. Boustead will return to court on December 14 for sentencing.

After Thomas’ death, his loved ones paid heartbreaking tribute to the 29-year-old, saying: “Tom was a helpful young man, with a high emotional intelligence who had his whole life ahead of him. Tom worked within NHS admin and was proud to be working in that role.

“He loved life and was on the verge of moving in with his long-time partner, a change he was really looking forward to making. He loved to go on long cycle rides and would drive any distance just for pleasure or to help a friend in need of assistance.

“He was caring and kind and made everyone feel important. He will be missed by us all.”