Driver pleads guilty to causing death of woman and her two dogs in Ilford

A driver has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a dog walker in Chigwell three days before Christmas.

Dantay Roche, 24 (04.03.2002), of Tine Road, Chigwell, appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 28 October and 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 25 January 2027.

The investigation

Roche had been driving his white Seat Leon at 61mph in a 30 zone when he struck 48-year-old Marie Theobald as she tried to cross Manford Way with her two dogs at around 17:00hrs on 22 December 2023.

Police attended the scene together with the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Despite their efforts, Marie was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her two Maltese dogs, Riley and Honey, also died in the collision.

The vehicle was found abandoned in a nearby cul-de-sac, Stevens Way, with significant damage.

Roche was quickly identified as the registered keeper of the vehicle. He handed himself in at Ilford police station the day after the collision and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police forensic collision experts established that Roche’s car had been driving at more than double the speed limit when it struck Marie and her two dogs on the 30mph limit road.

CCTV from after the collision showed the driver parking the vehicle and getting out with a passenger to inspect the damage before fleeing the scene.

Roche was charged on Wednesday, 29 July this year with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while driving an uninsured vehicle and criminal damage offences relating to the deaths of Marie’s two dogs. He appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 30 September.

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.”

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.

“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.”