A motorist who did not stop after a collision that resulted in the deaths of a teenage boy and his younger sister has been spared prison time.
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 of last year.
Deimante Ziobryte, 21, had previously admitted to failing to stop at the scene of the crash. The charge stated that Ziobryte was driving an Audi A1 that did not stop after causing harm to Roman and Darcie. Emotional victim impact statements from the children’s parents were presented in Basildon Magistrates’ Court, leading Ziobryte to tears.
Their mother, Emma Keeling, expressed in court how the incident had shattered her life, causing sleepless nights and irreparable changes in her. Their father, Alec Casselden, shared his anguish over imagining his children alone on the road and questioned why the driver left them to perish.
Ziobryte received a suspended three-month prison sentence and was also required to perform 80 hours of unpaid work, attend 20 rehabilitation days, face a three-year driving ban starting March 6, and pay £239 in costs.
Hulusi Ali, representing Ziobryte, described the incident as a panic-driven response to a tragic event, emphasizing her deep regret for her actions. Ziobryte, who recently became a mother, acknowledged her failure to stop immediately and contact emergency services.
The court learned that Ziobryte’s vehicle collided with the siblings as they approached a junction on the e-scooter. Despite having CCTV footage showing her at the scene, Ziobryte did not call for help or return after making calls to her family.
Prosecutors clarified that Ziobryte swerved to avoid a collision but still made contact with the victims, leading to their fatal injuries. Despite contacting family members, she did not reach out to the authorities or emergency services.
An inquest revealed that Roman and Darcie succumbed to traumatic head injuries after the collision. Emergency services pronounced Darcie dead at 7:10 pm and Roman at 7:50 pm.
The court acknowledged Ziobryte’s recent motherhood and her lack of culpability in causing the accident, as confirmed by the prosecution. Despite the tragedy, the children’s memory lives on in their family’s hearts.
Deputy District Judge Jennifer Twite expressed deep sadness over the case and highlighted the unimaginable grief the parents must endure. She emphasized the gravity of Ziobryte’s failure to stop at the accident scene, stating that the outcome could have been different without the aid of others.
Recognizing Ziobryte’s remorse, early plea, and personal circumstances, the judge imposed a sentence that balanced accountability with compassion.
