A driver has admitted killing a ‘selfless’ mother and her two dogs in a hit-and-run crash while travelling at twice the speed limit.
Dantay Roche, 24, from Chigwell in London, was driving his white Seat Leon at 61mph in a 30 zone when he struck Marie Theobald, 48, from Hainault, as she was crossing the road with her pets in December 2023.
Emergency services were called but she was pronounced dead at the scene, as were the Maltese dogs, named Riley and Honey.
Roche failed to stop his car which was found nearby shortly after the collision. CCTV showed him getting out of the vehicle to check out the damage to it before fleeing.
Appearing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, criminal damage and causing death by driving an uninsured vehicle.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on January 25, 2027.
In a statement released in December 2023, following Marie’s death, her family said: ‘Marie was a loving mother, daughter, sister, niece and friend.
‘Marie was an honest, hardworking, selfless woman who would do anything for anyone. Marie always put others first.
Marie Theobald, 48, and her two dogs, Riley and Honey (all pictured together), were killed in the crash on December 23
Dantay Roche, 24, from Chigwell in London, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, criminal damage and causing death by driving an uninsured vehicle
Emergency services were called but she was pronounced dead at the scene, as were the dogs. Pictured: Manford Way
‘The dogs Riley and Honey were much loved members of the family. They adored Marie as she adored them. May they all rest in perfect peace together.’
Detective Inspector Mark Braithwaite, who led the investigation, said: ‘This was an awful incident that resulted in Marie’s death in the most tragic circumstances just days before Christmas. My thoughts remain with her family and loved ones.
‘We do not know why Roche was driving like he was that night, as he has never provided an explanation either to the police or the courts.
‘But he drove dangerously fast at twice the speed limit on a busy road in a residential area, then took the cowardly decision to leave the scene after striking Marie and her two dogs.
‘We built a strong case against him, with evidence from our forensic collision investigator showing how he was driving at 61mph in a 30 zone, with digital enquiries placing him in the area at the time of the collision.’
