Mother sentenced after killing son in speeding crash
Barbra Roe has been sentenced to 5 years in jail
Zac Roe was aged just nine when he died in a road traffic collision on the A354 near East Woodyates in North Dorset.
His mother Barbara Roe, aged 39 and of Ludgershall in Wiltshire, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 2 May 2025 after previously admitting an offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Dorset Police received a report at 5.21pm on Monday 25 March 2024 of a collision involving a grey Citroen DS9, a white Ford Transit van and a DAF cattle transporter truck and trailer.
Witnesses described the Citroen, which was being driven by the defendant with her son the sole passenger, travelling at speed and attempting to overtake other vehicles prior to the collision.
The defendant then attempted to overtake the Ford Transit as she approached a blind left-hand bend, crossing the solid white line marking in the middle of the road. The cattle transporter was travelling in the opposite direction and Roe collided with it as she rounded the bend.
Members of the public attempted to give first aid at the scene before the emergency services attended. However, despite the best efforts of all involved, little Zac was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
His mother was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not believed to be serious.
Following a detailed investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Team, Roe was charged and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison.
She was also disqualified from driving for a period of seven and a half years.
Police Constable Gavin Newbury, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT), said: “This tragic case is the cruellest of reminders of the truly devastating consequences that sadly occur when motorists drive in a dangerous or reckless manner.
“Our thoughts are absolutely with Zac’s loved ones, who have been supported by specially trained officers throughout. While we fully appreciate nothing will ever make up for their loss, our role has been to diligently investigate the circumstances of this collision and bring the evidence before the courts to allow the justice process to follow its course.”
A tribute for Zac, from his father and grandparents read:
“We want to pay tribute to this much-loved boy.
“His father adored him, as did we.
“He was a popular boy who had many friends.
“He had an amazing imagination. He just loved making things out of Lego, twigs, cardboard, string and Sellotape. Just the same as his dad did when he was Zac’s age.
“He was talented at drawing and spent many hours adding detail to whatever he drew.
“We called him nature boy as he loved being outdoors, making dens, riding his bike and scooter, playing parkour and army games.
“He just loved life. He was always smiling.
“He should be here now enjoying his life.
“Money has been raised and there in now a therapy dog named after Zac. This is Zac’s legacy as he loved dogs. If anyone one would like to donate in Zac’s memory please go to the ‘Dogs for Health’ Facebook page.
“We will never stop loving him.
“The good memories are too hard to think about yet. But when we are ready to remember them, we will know how much he loved his short life, which was brutally taken away.
“No one will ever forget our wonderful Zac.