A heartbroken father has launched a petition demanding stricter punishments for hit-and-run drivers after revisiting the site where his two children were killed. Alec Casselden described his ongoing nightmares about his 16-year-old son Roman and nine-year-old daughter Darcie being left abandoned on the road after a horrific crash last year.
The Incident
Roman and Darcie were riding an e-scooter to buy dog food when they were struck by a car driven by 21-year-old Deimante Ziobryte. The collision occurred just moments from their home in Pitsea, Essex. Ziobryte fled the scene and did not call emergency services. Instead, she spent over 20 minutes on the phone with her boyfriend and brother while the children lay dying.
Father's Anguish
Alec, 52, stated he can never forgive Ziobryte for abandoning his children. He revealed he has recurring nightmares of them being left on the road. In his petition, he wrote: "Every day without my angels is a battle. Roman and Darcie were the light of my life, and the injustice of their passing under such negligent circumstances is unbearable."
Petition Goals
The petition calls for an immediate legal review and new measures to enhance accountability in tragic situations, including policy revisions to expedite emergency responses and reporting. Alec hopes to prevent other families from enduring similar pain.
Sentence Controversy
Ziobryte pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of a road accident while heavily pregnant. She received a three-month prison term suspended for 12 months, a three-year driving ban, and 80 hours of unpaid work. Alec called the sentence an "insult" and expressed shock at its leniency. He said: "What kind of example or deterrent does that set? She should have been made an example of."
Tributes to Roman and Darcie
Alec described Roman as selfless with a heart of gold, who loved football and looked after his siblings. Darcie was a "cheeky little monkey" with a passion for art. Their mother, Emma Keeling, also paid tribute, saying Roman dedicated his time to working with children in the community, and Darcie brought joy through her creativity.
Legal Context
Prosecutor Rohini Majumdar informed the court that Ziobryte made multiple phone calls to family members but not to the police or emergency services after the crash. She never returned to the scene to speak to officers. Police stated they found no offences relating to the cause of the collision.
Alec continues to visit the crash site, which remains a memorial to his children. He said: "I have to see the road every day and can't shake it out of my head. It cuts me up every day."
