Matthew DuPlessis has been jailed for nine years and three months at Chester Crown Court after admitting causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs and perverting the course of justice. The 35-year-old had initially told witnesses that Charlotte Dodd, 35, had been struck by a car which fled the scene, but an investigation found DuPlessis had been driving the van when Charlotte was fatally injured after leaving the moving vehicle in Congleton, Cheshire.
Lies Uncovered
The couple had visited Blackpool on September 23, 2023, before neighbours heard them arguing later that night, Cheshire Constabulary said. At about 1.30am, they left Charlotte's home together and continued arguing as they drove around Congleton in DuPlessis's van. Charlotte left the vehicle while it was still moving on Padgbury Lane and suffered fatal injuries.
A passing motorist stopped after spotting her in the road, with DuPlessis sitting on a grass verge nearby. DuPlessis claimed his girlfriend had been the victim of a hit-and-run.
Investigation Details
DCI Dave Hutcheon, of the major investigation team, said: “DuPlessis told multiple witnesses at the scene including his own parents, members of the public, paramedics and police at the scene that he and Charlotte were walking along Padgbury Lane having been out drinking and that Charlotte was dancing in the carriageway.”
The officer said DuPlessis had told people that a dark coloured vehicle had struck his girlfriend and fled the scene while he had his back turned. DCI Hutcheon said: “We launched a fail to stop investigation at the scene, and the defendant was treated as a witness and later allowed to leave with his parents.”
But an officer at the scene recognised his name and knew he drove a white van similar to the vehicle parked nearby, causing the investigation to soon turn towards him. In 2024, he admitted driving with excess cocaine in his body in relation to the incident and was disqualified from driving for three years as detectives continued investigating Charlotte's death.
CCTV Evidence
DuPlessis told police that she had repeatedly threatened to jump out of the vehicle, but had not done so. He refused to explain how she ultimately came to leave the van. CCTV footage from Padgbury Lane later provided investigators with crucial evidence.
The footage showed the driver's door shut with the interior light on, indicating the passenger door was open. He told police she had opened the passenger door because she wanted to get out. The van then continued for another 195 metres at an average speed of 19mph. Forensic analysis also found the vehicle was over the centre line of the carriageway as DuPlessis turned left towards Arnside Avenue, where Charlotte left the van.
Family's Response
Following DuPlessis's sentencing, Charlotte's family spoke of the devastating impact of her death and the uncertainty surrounding what happened. They said they had “quietly lived through the turmoil, the uncertainty and the heartbreak surrounding the circumstances of Charlotte's death”.
“We have each carried an indescribable pain of losing our daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend, whilst also watching her two young girls try to come to terms with losing their mummy,” they said. They added: “It has taken so long to reach a Crown Court sentence hearing. Due to the lies and deception by one person from the very beginning, thereby perverting the course of justice, we still do not know the full truth of what really happened to Charlotte.
“There are no witnesses. There are some questions that remain unanswered, and we will have to live with those questions for the rest of our lives. Justice has now been served, yet we do not believe this reflects the enormity of what has been lost and the devastation that Charlotte's death has caused. Charlotte has not been able to live her best life because one person has senselessly taken that life way, stolen her future. For us, no custodial sentence or punishment will ever be enough.”
DCI Hutcheon said detectives were still unable to establish exactly how Charlotte came to leave the van. He said: “It hasn't been determined how Charlotte came to leave the van. The defendant overshot the junction causing him to perform an emergency stop. He then reversed and parked his van on Arnside Avenue and went to Charlotte.
“He then concocted his story to cover up that he was responsible for her death. His lies were caught out by the roads policing officer and the detailed forensic analysis of his movements led to him having no option but to plead guilty.”
He added: “His actions tragically led to Charlotte's death and changed her family's life forever. Our hearts go out to them as they navigate the rest of their lives trying to cope with the devastating loss of someone they loved very much.”
