Matthew DuPlessis has been sentenced to nine years and three months in prison for causing the death of his girlfriend, Charlotte Dodd, after initially claiming she was a victim of a hit-and-run.
DuPlessis admitted to causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs and to perverting the course of justice. The incident occurred on September 23, 2023, when neighbors reported hearing an argument between DuPlessis, 35, and Ms. Dodd, also 35, at her home in Congleton, Cheshire. The couple left Ms. Dodd's residence in DuPlessis's van at approximately 1:30 a.m. the following day. Ms. Dodd later fell from the moving vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.
A passerby discovered Ms. Dodd in the road with DuPlessis sitting on a grass verge nearby. DuPlessis, from Crewe, told witnesses, including his parents, paramedics, and police, that he and Ms. Dodd had been walking after a drinking session and that a dark-colored vehicle had struck her and fled. He initially claimed he had his back turned when the incident occurred.
However, a police officer recognized DuPlessis's name and knew he drove a white van similar to the one parked at the scene. In 2024, DuPlessis admitted to driving with excess cocaine and received a three-year driving ban, but the investigation into Ms. Dodd's death continued.
CCTV footage from Padgbury Lane showed the van's passenger door open as the vehicle turned left into Arnside Avenue, where Ms. Dodd left the vehicle. Forensic analysis indicated the van was over the center line of the carriageway at the time of the turn. The van continued for another 195 meters at an average speed of 19 mph before DuPlessis performed an emergency stop. He then reversed and parked the van before going to Ms. Dodd.
DuPlessis admitted to police that Ms. Dodd had repeatedly threatened to jump out of the vehicle, though he stated she did not. He refused to explain how she came to leave the van, but the investigation concluded that he concocted a story to conceal his responsibility for her death. His deception was uncovered by a roads policing officer and detailed forensic analysis.
In a statement, Ms. Dodd's family expressed the deep pain and uncertainty they have experienced since her death. They acknowledged that justice had been served but stated that no custodial sentence could fully reflect the enormity of their loss. The family also noted that due to DuPlessis's initial lies, they may never know the full truth of what happened to Charlotte, leaving unanswered questions that they will carry with them.
DCI Dave Hutcheon stated that DuPlessis's lies were exposed, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty.