A 33-year-old man has died after a serious car crash on Christmas Eve in Liverpool, while his partner and their 8-year-old son survived, authorities confirmed.
The collision occurred on Dec. 24 shortly before 8:40 p.m. at the junction of East Lancashire Road and Stonebridge Lane in Croxteth, according to Merseyside Police. Stephen Jones, from Bootle, was driving a black Ford Puma when it was involved in a collision with a grey Audi A4. Reports indicate the family was returning home from the cinema at the time of the incident.
Jones was taken to hospital with critical injuries and died on Saturday, Jan. 3.
His 34-year-old partner, who has not been named, remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Their young son sustained minor injuries and is currently being cared for by relatives.
Police said the driver of the Audi, a 32-year-old man from Liverpool, was arrested at the scene. He is being investigated on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. He has since been released on bail.
“Our thoughts remain with Stephen’s family at this tragic time,” said Detective Sergeant Simon Duffy of Merseyside Police. “We will continue to support them throughout this investigation and seek to provide the answers that they need.”
Duffy added that the investigation is ongoing, with multiple lines of inquiry. He emphasized that eyewitness accounts and dashcam footage are particularly important and urged anyone who was traveling in the area at the time to contact police.
Merseyside Police also shared a tribute from Jones’ family, who remembered him as a devoted father and a compassionate presence in the community.
“Stephen was a loving son, brother, partner, uncle, but most importantly a dad — a role that meant the world to him,” the family said.
They described him as a loyal friend and lifelong Everton supporter with a deep passion for helping others. His commitment to coaching children’s grassroots football, they said, allowed him to make a lasting impact on many young lives.
“Stephen’s death will leave a void for many people that will never be filled,” the family added. “He will be missed deeply but loved forever and always in our hearts.”
