Woman drove off from crash that killed siblings

A woman has admitted failing to stop her car after it struck and killed a teenage boy and his sister.

Roman Casselden, 16, who was riding an e-scooter with nine-year-old Darcie on board, both died at the scene in Pitsea, near Basildon in Essex, after the collision at about 18:25 GMT on 1 February 2025.

Deimante Ziobryte did not call an ambulance and instead drove off in her Audi.

The 21-year-old, of Merrivale, Benfleet, was warned she could be jailed when she is sentenced at Basildon Magistrates' Court on 6 May.

Rohimi Majumdar, prosecuting, said Roman and Darcie were approaching a junction in Ashlyns when they were struck by Ziobryte's car.

"The defendant swerved to avoid a collision but unfortunately they did make contact," she told the court.

"Following this, the defendant has continued to drive and did not stop."

Majumdar said Ziobryte pulled over nearby and made "multiple telephone calls" to family members, but did not call the emergency services.

She added: "At no point did the defendant return to the scene of the collision."

Presiding magistrate Paul Fisher adjourned the hearing so a pre-sentence report could be prepared.

"We cannot rule out a term of imprisonment," he warned the defendant.

Essex Police arrested Ziobryte on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving shortly after the offence.

However, in January, the force said this charge was no longer being pursued.

Roman and Darcie each died from a traumatic head injury and were identified by their mother, an inquest opening in February 2025 heard.

Area coroner Michelle Brown said their cause of deaths were provisional, pending further investigation by the police.

Roman and Darcie's mother, Emma, said the children were her "beautiful angels" in a tribute shared after their deaths.

She said Darcie "was a soul filled with creativity and beauty" and Roman had a "heart of gold".

A memorial bench and tree dedicated to the siblings were unveiled at a park near the collision site in February.

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