The chilling confession began moments after the crash. Keilan Roberts, barely composed, handed police a bottle of beer, a stark admission of his state. “I was driving home,” he stated, “I had four bottles of Peroni in my car and that happened. I will be honest with you.”
He continued, acknowledging the inevitable consequences. “Soon as that happened, I drank it all at once.” Roberts readily admitted he knew he would fail any breathalyzer test, bracing for arrest and further examination. Yet, he insisted it wasn’t drink driving in the traditional sense.
The tragedy unfolded in Fochriw, South Wales, claiming the life of 17-year-old Chloe Hayman. She had been with friends at a nightclub, but found herself stranded when her phone died, unable to call for a ride. Roberts offered assistance, a seemingly kind gesture that turned devastating.
He initially planned to give her a lift the following morning, but instead, they walked to where his car was parked. The intention was to take Chloe back to his home. That journey never reached its destination. A crash, fueled by a cocktail of substances, irrevocably altered both their lives.
Toxicology reports revealed Roberts was under the influence of cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, and alcohol. He later pleaded guilty to four counts of causing death by careless driving, each charge corresponding to a different substance found in his system.
Initially sentenced to three years and nine months, the sentence was later increased to five years and three months following a review. Despite the severity of his actions, Roberts has recently been released from prison on licence, a development that has reopened wounds for those affected.
Chloe Hayman’s mother, Danielle O’Halloran, described a grief that deepens with time. “I thought time was meant to heal,” she said, “but this isn’t the case when you lose a child. If anything, it hurts more and more each day.” Her words echo the enduring pain of a life tragically cut short.
The scene of the crash remains a haunting reminder of the night’s events. It stands as a testament to the devastating consequences of reckless choices and the enduring impact on a family left shattered by loss.
