Overview

• Barbara Roe, 39, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving after a crash in March 2024 that killed her son Zac Roe, 9.
• Roe, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was reportedly in a manic state and driving recklessly at speeds exceeding 80mph before the collision in north Dorset.
• The crash occurred when Roe attempted to overtake a van on a blind bend, colliding with an oncoming lorry; Zac, seated in the passenger seat, died instantly from catastrophic injuries.
• Zac’s father, Josh Roe, had raised concerns with authorities about Barbara’s mental state days before the crash, but no action was taken to prevent her from picking Zac up from school.
• The family has paid tribute to Zac, describing him as a bright, imaginative boy who loved nature, and have established a memorial fund in his name, including a therapy dog named after him.