Driver sentenced after e-scooter crash kills siblings

A driver who failed to stop at the scene of a crash that killed two children who were riding an e-scooter has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Sixteen-year-old Roman Casselden and nine-year-old sister Darcie Casselden were pronounced dead at the scene in Pitsea, Essex, after the crash at about 18:25 GMT on 1 February last year.

Deimante Ziobryte, 21, of Benfleet, did not stop or call emergency services, and instead drove away.

At Basildon Magistrates' Court, Ziobryte - who had admitted failing to stop - was sentenced to three months, suspended for 12 months.

Deputy district judge Jennifer Twite described the crash, which happened in Ashlyns, as "an incredibly sad case".

"[It's] impossible to imagine the grief that Darcie and Roman's parents are going through," she said.

"I've no doubt their suffering was increased knowing you didn't stop at the scene of the accident."

An earlier court hearing was told Ziobryte swerved her Audi A1 to try avoiding a collision "but unfortunately they made contact".

Prosecutor Jasmin Akter read a victim impact statement from the children's mother, Emma Keeling, who said their death had "ruined" her life.

She said she had since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Their father, Alec Casselden, said he had nightmares about his children "lying alone in the road" and could not understand why Ziobryte "just left them".

He said he missed picking his daughter up from school and had promised to take his son to watch Tottenham Hotspur play.

The dad added that his two other children had "lost their best friends".

Ziobryte wept in the dock as the statements were read out.

In mitigation, defence lawyer Hulusi Ali read a letter from his client, in which she said she was in complete shock after the collision.

"I've relived the events every day and I know I will carry the weight of these events with me for the rest of my life," she said.

Ali added: "This was a panic-driven failure in the aftermath of a catastrophic event."

He said police found her in her car nearby, where she admitted what had happened.

The judge ordered Ziobryte to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £239 to cover costs and a victim surcharge.

She banned her from driving for three years, but Ali said Ziobryte "doesn't want to drive a motor vehicle ever again".

The judge said she took into account Ziobryte's "previous good character", her early guilty plea and the fact she had recently given birth.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.