Mother's Heartbreaking Decision to Forgive Driver Who Killed Her Daughter
A mother broke down in tears during a live television appearance as she revealed the profound reason she chose to forgive the driver responsible for her daughter's death. Danielle O'Halloran joined presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on ITV's This Morning, where she courageously opened up about the devastating loss of her only daughter, Chloe Hayman.
The Tragic Night That Changed Everything
Seventeen-year-old schoolgirl Chloe Hayman was enjoying a night out with friends in Pontypridd, Wales, in 2022 when her phone battery died, leaving her stranded without a way home. She accepted a lift from Keilan Roberts, then 21, whom she had met earlier that evening. After taking a taxi to where his car was parked, the pair embarked on what would become a fatal journey.
As Roberts drove over a cattle grid on a remote road, he lost control of the vehicle, crashing into metal railings. The impact killed Chloe instantly. When police arrived at the scene, Roberts initially claimed he had consumed four beers from the car after the accident. However, subsequent blood tests revealed he had been drinking throughout the night and had also taken drugs.
A Mother's Extraordinary Path to Forgiveness
Despite the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Danielle made the remarkable decision to forgive Keilan Roberts. She maintains regular contact with him, participating in a restorative justice program that brings victims and offenders together. Her motivation stems from a desire to highlight the catastrophic consequences of poor decisions, particularly driving under the influence.
'I don't think losing Chloe will stop people from drink driving,' Danielle told the This Morning hosts through tears. 'But I know from seeing how this has impacted him as well, for me to talk about that could be a deterrent. That person has to carry that feeling, the guilt of what they've done, for the rest of their lives.'
Confronting Grief Through Compassion
Danielle, 40, explained that choosing forgiveness was essential for her own healing and for her remaining children. 'To feel such hate towards someone, I didn't want to feel that - I really felt like I was just surviving,' she revealed. 'I wanted my kids to have a mum that was able to move on, and not to exist but to have a purpose, and that's why I decided to confront the probation service and speak to him.'
She described Roberts as carrying immense guilt for his actions and expressed compassion for his situation. 'He's still a human being, he's very young, and making the wrong choice has changed his world,' Danielle said. 'He shows so much compassion, he's so sorry - and we do hope that we can share the story, as he wants to make a difference and bring awareness.'
Legal Consequences and Family Reactions
Keilan Roberts, now 25, was sentenced to five years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving. Danielle has visited him in prison as part of their restorative justice journey, though she acknowledges that some family members disagree with her approach. 'A lot of my family may disagree but I have to do what is right for me, and for the better of the people,' she concluded.
Danielle's appearance on This Morning followed another emotional segment featuring parents Mark and Michelle Sneddon, who discussed their daughter Isla's death from breast cancer at age 17 after doctors initially dismissed her symptoms. Both stories highlight the importance of awareness and prevention in different contexts of public safety and health.
