Father and Son Convicted of Manslaughter in Tragic Dartford Crash

A father and son from Kent have been found guilty of manslaughter following a collision that resulted in the death of a four-year-old child. Owen Maughan, 27, and his father Patrick Maughan, 54, were convicted at Maidstone Crown Court on 19 February 2026 after the incident occurred on New Barn Road in Dartford on 1 June 2025.

The Incident

The collision occurred following a chase down the A2 in Dartford involving two vehicles. The jury heard that the Maughans had been drinking heavily earlier that day, consuming approximately 12 bottles of beer and 13 pints respectively before driving their Ford Ranger pick-up truck. They noticed a similar vehicle and pulled up alongside it. After becoming involved in an altercation with the other driver, Lovell Mahon, Owen Maughan pursued the vehicle for several miles at high speed.

During the pursuit, Owen Maughan drove into the wrong lane and struck the rear of the other vehicle at approximately 60 miles per hour, causing it to roll over multiple times. Four-year-old Peter Maughan, the son of Lovell Mahon and Hayley Maughan, was a passenger in the vehicle. He sustained severe and devastating injuries to his head, chest and abdomen and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Verdict and Evidence

Both men were cleared of murder charges. Owen Maughan had previously admitted manslaughter, whilst Patrick Maughan was found guilty of the charge. Owen Maughan was also convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Lovell Mahon, who was left unable to walk again.

During the trial, Owen Maughan told the court he did not know there were children in the other vehicle and claimed he intended only to dent the side of the car to provoke a fight. After the collision, both men fled the scene. Patrick Maughan removed the vehicle’s registration plate, which Owen said was done in a state of panic.

The prosecution described the incident as a deliberate ramming at high speed, with prosecutors arguing that Owen Maughan had used his car as a weapon to ram the other vehicle off the road.

Sentencing

Both men will be sentenced at a later date. Detective Sergeant Dean Sycamore of Kent Police described the incident as tragic and entirely avoidable, noting that the victims’ family has shown extraordinary courage throughout the trial.

Key Takeaways

• Owen Maughan (27) and Patrick Maughan (54) convicted of manslaughter on 19 February 2026
• Four-year-old Peter Maughan died in the collision on 1 June 2025
• The incident followed a high-speed chase on the A2 after both men had consumed substantial amounts of alcohol
• Lovell Mahon, Peter’s father, suffered life-changing injuries
• Sentencing date to be confirmed

What This Means for Kent Residents

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and excessive alcohol consumption. The verdict highlights the importance of road safety and responsible behaviour behind the wheel, particularly when families are travelling. The trial emphasised how split-second decisions can have irreversible impacts on multiple lives within a family.