Traffic officers have issued a stark warning about the dangers of reckless driving following the tragic and avoidable death of nine-year-old Zac Roe in a collision on the A354 near East Woodyates, North Dorset. The boy’s mother, Barbara Roe, aged 39 and from Ludgershall in Wiltshire, has been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.
The fatal incident occurred at around 5.21pm on Monday, 25 March 2024, and involved three vehicles: a grey Citroën DS9 driven by Roe with her son as the sole passenger, a white Ford Transit van, and a DAF cattle transporter truck and trailer. According to witness reports, the Citroën was seen travelling at excessive speed and attempting to overtake other vehicles. As Roe approached a blind left-hand bend, she crossed a solid white line to overtake the Transit van, directly into the path of the oncoming cattle transporter. The resulting head-on collision was devastating.
Members of the public rushed to offer first aid before emergency services arrived. Despite their best efforts, Zac was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother sustained injuries that were not life-threatening and was taken to hospital for treatment. Following a thorough investigation by Dorset Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT), Roe was charged and later disqualified from driving for seven and a half years in addition to her custodial sentence.
Police Constable Gavin Newbury, from the 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.”
Zac’s father and paternal grandparents have issued a deeply emotional tribute to the little boy who brought joy to so many:
“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, and 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 is now a therapy dog named after Zac. This is Zac’s legacy, as he loved dogs. If anyone 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. Our grief will last until our last breath.”
Zac’s tragic and untimely death serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the irreversible damage that can be caused by dangerous driving. His memory now lives on not only in the hearts of those who loved him but also through a therapy dog who bears his name; bringing comfort to others, just as Zac once did.
