A motorist who drove away from a collision that resulted in the deaths of a brother and sister has been spared imprisonment.
Roman Casselden, 16, and his nine-year-old sister Darcie Casselden lost their lives in a tragic accident involving an e-scooter in Ashlyns, Pitsea, Essex, on February 1, 2021.
Deimante Ziobryte, 21, admitted to failing to stop at the scene of the crash, where the siblings were injured. During the court proceedings at Basildon Magistrates’ Court, emotional statements from the children’s parents were shared.
Their mother, Emma Keeling, expressed ongoing distress, stating that the incident had deeply impacted her life. She shared, “I will never be the same person again because of it.”
Their father, Alec Casselden, revealed his anguish, mentioning having nightmares about his children left alone on the road. He questioned, “Why would she leave two children to die and drive off?”
Ziobryte received a suspended three-month prison sentence and was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. Additionally, she was banned from driving for three years starting from March 6 and instructed to pay £239 in costs.
Hulusi Ali, representing Ziobryte, described the incident as a panic-induced reaction to a tragic event. In a letter, Ziobryte expressed deep remorse, acknowledging her failure to act promptly and contact emergency services.
Prosecutors highlighted that Ziobryte’s vehicle collided with the children as they approached a junction on the e-scooter, resulting in fatal head injuries. Surveillance footage showed Ziobryte making calls to family members but not to emergency services.
Judge Jennifer Twite acknowledged the gravity of the case, emphasizing the immense sorrow experienced by the parents of Roman and Darcie. She commended the actions of those who did stop at the scene and emphasized the importance of taking responsibility in such situations.
Ziobryte’s previous good conduct, early admission of guilt, and recent childbirth were considered during sentencing. The court recognized that the tragic incident left a lasting impact on all those involved.