A 33-year-old father, Stephen Jones, has died following a devastating two-car collision on Christmas Eve that left his partner seriously injured and their young son hurt. Stephen, from Bootle, was driving a black Ford Puma when it collided with a grey Audi A4 in Croxteth shortly before 8:40pm on December 24, 2025. He was rushed to hospital with critical injuries but tragically passed away on January 3. His 34-year-old partner remains hospitalized in a serious but stable condition, while their eight-year-old son suffered minor injuries and is now being cared for by extended family. A 32-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested at the scene and later released on bail with conditions, as police continue investigating on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Paying tribute, Stephen’s family described him as a devoted father above all else, a loving partner, son, brother, and uncle whose life centered on caring for others. A lifelong supporter of Everton, he was known locally for his passion for coaching children’s grassroots football, where he inspired and supported countless young players. His family said his death has left a lasting void in the community that can never truly be filled. Detective Sergeant Simon Duffy from Merseyside Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing and appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage from the M57 or East Lancashire Road area around the time of the crash. He also thanked members of the public who stopped to provide first aid, emphasizing that their help was invaluable during a deeply tragic incident.