Heartbroken mother whose daughter died after crash in car driven by drunk motorist following night out at Winter Wonderland on Christmas Eve is pleading for law change to stop killer drink drivers getting licences back

• Lillie Clack, 22, died days after the smash in the early hours of Christmas Day 

A mother whose daughter was declared brain dead on Christmas Day after she was fatally injured by a drunk driver following a trip to Winter Wonderland is pleading for a law change in her memory.

Lillie Clack, 22, went to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland with her boyfriend and friends on Christmas Eve before heading to the pub.

She accepted a lift home with drunk driver Charlie Hilton, then 25, who loaded the car with five passengers and sped off at 100mph when he was spotted by police.

‘Selfish’ Hilton was chased by police before his Mercedes hit a tree, flipped over and burst into flames early on December 25 2021.

Lillie, a kitchen designer, was rushed to hospital. Her mother, Debbie, 52, and her family spent Christmas Day watching Lillie fight for her life, and she died three days later.

Lillie Clack, 22, went to Hyde Park ‘s Winter Wonderland with her boyfriend and friends on Christmas Eve 2021

Lillie (left, pictured with brother Michael, mother Debbie and Maureen Clack) died three days after the crash on December 28

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

Heartbroken Ms Clack is now campaigning for Lillie’s Law – so all drunk drivers who kill have their licences revoked permanently.

She said she is not celebrating Christmas and will spend Christmas Day with her family in Lillie’s garden.

Ms Clack, a healthcare professional, from Morden, south London, said: ‘The little girl I brought into the world has died.

‘That is something that a parent should have to endure – looking at your baby with all those machines on her and not breathing.

‘It is a picture I will carry for the rest of my life. We are campaigning for Lillie’s law.

‘We want driving licences to be suspended on the day of the crash and then if they are found guilty they have their licence taken off them for life.

‘Lillie’s killer will be able to drive in 10 years’ time.’

On Christmas Eve, 2021, Lillie headed to Winter Wonderland with her boyfriend Jack, her friend Delia and Delia’s boyfriend George.

Her mother warned her not to be back late as she needed help early on Christmas morning.

Debbie Clack, 52 (left) spent Christmas Day watching her daughter fight for her life in hospital

The family has now launched a campaign to introduce Lillie’s law and permanently ban killer drivers from the road

Lillie got a tube to Morden and then went to the pub, before Hilton – a friend of a friend – offered her a lift home.

‘He offered to take them home just a five-minute drive up the road,’ Ms Clack said.

‘Lillie, Jack and Delia put their trust in this boy to give them a lift home.’

Hilton ‘spun out’ of the car park and was chased by police who lost sight of the Mercedes about a mile from where he lost control and crashed.

Ms Clack recalls waking up at 2.15am and noticing that the hallway light was still on, meaning Lillie was not home. She sent Lillie a text before drifting back to sleep.

She was woken up 30 minutes later by police officers knocking on her door to inform her of the crash. 

Ms Clack said she initially assumed she had been hit by a train or been in a fight, adding: ‘I was guessing she was locked up in a cell.

‘The policeman said she had been involved in a car crash. I said she couldn’t have as she didn’t take her car.

‘My son [Michael Clack] practically fell down the stairs. We were running out of the house in our pyjamas.’

At St George’s Hospital in London, a doctor told the devastated family that Lillie had a bleed on the brain.

Ms Clack said: ‘I remember screaming. Michael was standing there holding my hand.’

She added: ‘A doctor came out and held my arm telling me that we have to prepare ourselves for the worst.’

Doctors managed to stop the bleed but scans showed there was no brain function. On December 28, 2021, doctors said she had organ failure and she died a few hours later.

Ms Clack said: ‘They said they wouldn’t touch the machine and she would go herself. An hour before she died her face changed, she looked so sad, her eyes were sad.

‘She then took her last breath with me, Michael and Donna, her aunt, holding her hand.’

Hilton was jailed on February 10, 2023, at the Old Bailey, London.

On December 28, 2021, doctors said Lillie had organ failure and she died a few hours later

In mitigation, Isobel McCarroll said Hilton took full responsibility for his ‘thoughtless’ behaviour.

She said: ‘He wished he could turn the clock back. He will never forgive himself.’

Hilton was given 10 years and six months in prison and disqualified from driving for five years after his release from prison.

Ms Clack’s campaign – Justice for Lillie – is seeking to introduce Lillie’s Law.

She said: ‘Currently if you kill someone on the road, you don’t get your licence taken off you.

‘Lillie’s Law will be that a driver’s licence is suspended on the day of the crash and then if they are found guilty of death by dangerous driving their license is suspended.

‘Charlie will be able to drive in 10 years’ time and that is not right.’

She also shared a warning to drivers this festive season, imploring them not to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. 

‘Don’t drink and drive, if you think you are going to drink leave your car at home. Don’t think after three drinks you will be ok, think of the people you might be driving, think of those innocent people you will be putting at risk.’

A petition Debbie launched has been signed by more than 27,000 people and Debbie hopes she can one day set up a charity in Lillie’s memory called Eyes Wet Now – to support bereaved parents.

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