Mother's heart 'splintered into a million pieces' when daughter died following car crash

A mother has said her heart "splintered into a million pieces" when her daughter died following a car crash.

Lillie Clack, 22, from Morden in south London, was injured after the vehicle she was in smashed into a tree in the early hours of Christmas Day 2021. She died a few days later.

The kitchen designer was among six people who had squeezed into a Mercedes following a night out.

At the wheel was drink-driver Charlie Hilton, 25, who was chased by police and reached speeds of more than 100mph before the car struck the tree, flipped over and burst into flames.

During an inquest into Ms Clack's death, her mother, Debbie Clack, told South London Coroner's Court on Friday: "Lillie is always on my mind. Did Lillie suffer? I know that she would have been scared and wanted her mummy.

"My heart splintered into a million pieces and Lillie is the only medication that can fix it."

Ms Clack's brother Michael also gave a statement - read out on his behalf - saying his sister's death had a "massive impact upon my family and everyone around".

He added: "I will never forgive Charlie Hilton for what he did to Lillie as he has ruined my life and the life of my family."

Ms Clack had gone to a pub in Morden with her friends before they accepted a lift home from Hilton.

In February 2023, Hilton was jailed for 10 years and six months after pleading guilty to causing Ms Clack's death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury, failing to stop when directed and driving above the alcohol limit.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years after his release from prison.

The inquest heard Hilton had been told by his passengers that a police vehicle had turned its blue lights on behind them and was indicating for him to stop.

Instead, he sped up and was driving so fast that the passengers bumped their heads on the roof of the car as they were chased by police.

Boyfriend asked 'where's Lillie?' after crash

Among those in the car were Ms Clack's boyfriend Jack Watson, who sat in the backseat, and her best friend Delia Casey, who was in the front.

Mr Watson told the inquest: "I think I might have said 'Charlie what are you doing, why are you going so fast'. I think the girls were in shock."

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He recalled Hilton telling him to shut up.

Mr Watson said he does not remember the crash but does recall being pulled out on a stretcher and bleeding from his lip.

He added: "I remember asking 'where's Lillie?'. I remember being in an ambulance and blood on my jacket but I do not know where the blood came from.

"My clothing was cut off from me - and I knew then that it was bad."

(c) Sky News 2025: Mother's heart 'splintered into a million pieces' when daughter died following car crash