Key Points
- Stephen Jones, 33, from Bootle, died on January 3 following a crash on Christmas Eve at the junction of East Lancashire Road and Stonebridge Lane in Liverpool.
- Jones was driving a black Ford Puma with his partner and eight-year-old son when it collided with a grey Audi A4 shortly before 8.40pm.
- His partner, 34, remains in serious but stable condition in hospital; their son suffered minor injuries and is with family.
- A man has been arrested and bailed as Merseyside Police continue their investigation.
- Tributes describe Jones as a loving dad, Everton supporter, and children’s football coach.
Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 14, 2026 – Stephen Jones, a 33-year-old father from Bootle known to friends as Ste, has had a funeral date set following his death in a Christmas Eve crash.
Jones was driving home from the cinema with his partner and eight-year-old son in a black Ford Puma when it collided with a grey Audi A4 just before 8.40pm at the East Lancashire Road and Stonebridge Lane junction, according to ITV News Granada reporting.
What happened in the fatal crash?
Stephen Jones sustained significant injuries in the collision and was taken to hospital, where he died on January 3. His family described him as a loving son, brother, partner, uncle, and most importantly a dad, according to tributes reported by ITV News Granada.
As reported by ITV News Granada, Jones was a lifelong Everton supporter with a passion to help people, and his loss is felt widely due to his role coaching children’s football.
How are the family coping after the tragedy?
Jones’s 34-year-old partner remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Their eight-year-old son suffered minor injuries and is being cared for by wider family members.
What support is available for those affected?
Merseyside Police have assigned specially trained family liaison officers to support Stephen Jones’s family throughout the investigation, ITV News Granada reports.
What is the police investigation focusing on?
A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed as enquiries continue. Detective Sergeant Simon Duffy from the Serious Collision Investigation unit urged witnesses and those with dashcam footage from the M57 or East Lancashire Road around 8.30pm on Christmas Eve to come forward.
Police thanked members of the public who stopped to provide first aid at the scene.
