Pitsea: Tributes to Darcie and Roman Casselden

Tributes have been paid to the two children who died following a collision in Pitsea on Saturday 1 February.

Sixteen year-old Roman Casselden will leave a “legacy is one of selflessness, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people”.

His nine year-old sister Darcie is described as “a wonderful individual who brought joy and inspiration to those lucky enough to know her.”

Roman and Darcie, who Essex Police are now in a position to name, died following the incident in Ashlyns at around 6.25pm.

In a statement their mum Emma said:

“Roman had a heart of gold, dedicating his time to working with children in the community.
“His warmth and generosity touched so many lives, bringing smiles, hope, and encouragement to those who needed it most.
“His legacy is one of selflessness, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people.
“Darcie was a soul filled with creativity and beauty, with a passion for art that reflected the depth of her spirit.
“Through her talent, she painted the world with colour and emotion, leaving behind a piece of herself in every stroke.
“She was a wonderful individual who brought joy and inspiration to those lucky enough to know her.
“Though they are no longer here in person, their love, kindness, and spirit live on in the hearts of all who knew them. Their impact will never fade, and their memory will forever be cherished.
“Rest in peace, our beautiful angels, Roman and Darcie.
“You were loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.
“From everyone including your siblings Madison and Harrison.”

Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said:

“The whole community is mourning for the loss of Roman and Darcie and we have specialist officers supporting their family.
“My thoughts, and those of everyone at Essex Police, are with them at this incredibly difficult time.
“This has been a hugely emotive incident, the impact of which has been felt by everyone in the community, including my own officers.
“There is a huge amount of rumour and conjecture online about what happened on Saturday night. I know there is a huge amount of interest but this is not helpful to the family of Darcie and Roman.
“I would ask people not to speculate about what happened. We will investigate and we will find the answers they so desperately need.”

The officer overseeing the inquiry into Saturday’s fatal collision in Pitsea says the investigation is “making good progress”.

A car was in collision a 16 year-old boy and a nine year-old girl, who we believe were riding a privately owned e-scooter at the time, in Ashlyns at around 6.25pm on 1 February.

Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said:

“This has been a hugely emotive incident and I know the family, and wider community, want to know what happened.

“We are making good progress in our investigation which is focussing on a number of factors.

“I know there has been a lot of commentary online about the incident but I would ask that people please do not speculate.

“We will investigate and we will get the answers.”

The woman arrested in connection with this incident have now been released on bail while our enquiries continue.

The man arrested has been released under investigation.

If you saw anything, have any CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage, or have any information please get in contact with us.

Please quote incident 931 of 1 February.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Visit our website to find out more about our online reporting services or call 101

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

“My team is working tirelessly to give their loved ones the answers they need” – that’s from the officer leading the investigation into last night’s fatal collision in Pitsea where two children died.

Officers have been carrying out enquiries since a collision involving a car and the two children in Ashlyns at around 6.25pm on Saturday 1 February.

We can now confirm the children are a 16 year-old boy and a nine year-old girl.

The car failed to stop at the scene and a man and a woman – both in their 20s – were arrested a short time later on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

They remain in custody.

Detective Sergeant Sam Nason, who’s leading the investigation, said:

“Specialist officers are supporting the loved ones of the two children who sadly died yesterday.

“My team is working tirelessly to give them the answers they need about what happened.

“At this stage we are not providing any more information about the boy and girl who have died and I would ask that their privacy, and that of their loved ones, is respected.

“I know there is a lot of interest in what happened last night but I would also urge people not to speculate.

“If you have information about the collision please contact my team.”

DS Nason added:

“I also want to thank my emergency service colleagues and members of the public who tried valiantly to save the children’s lives last night.”

If you saw anything, have any CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage, or have any information please get in contact with us.

Please quote incident 931 of 1 February.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Visit our website to find out more about our online reporting services or call 101.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.

Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.

Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source. 

Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.