Arda Alhaslioglu, a 20-year-old man from Chigwell, Essex, has formally denied causing the death of Gillian Theodorou and seriously injuring her daughter, reality television star Clelia Theodorou, in a devastating car crash that occurred in May 2023. The defendant entered his pleas at Chelmsford Crown Court today.
Court Appearance and Charges
Appearing in a navy suit and white trainers, Alhaslioglu pleaded not guilty to two primary offences: causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He additionally denied a further charge of causing death while driving without insurance. The court granted him bail, and he is scheduled to return for a further hearing in May.
The Tragic Incident and Aftermath
The collision, which took place in Chigwell, Essex, resulted in the tragic death of Gillian Theodorou. Her daughter, Clelia Theodorou, aged 31 and a former star of ITV's The Only Way Is Essex, sustained what were described as 'serious injuries'. At the time of the accident, Clelia was pregnant.
Her injuries included two broken legs, necessitating several surgeries and an extended hospital stay. Remarkably, just seven months after the crash, Clelia welcomed her daughter, Cielo, with her fiancé, Tommy Cole.
Clelia Theodorou's Emotional Statements
In a heartfelt Instagram post from July 2023, Clelia shared the profound impact of the tragedy. 'At the end of May myself and my mum were unfortunately involved in an accident, we both suffered terrible injuries,' she wrote. 'I am continuing to heal from mine after weeks in hospital, but it's with the biggest regret to say that my beautiful mum couldn't heal from hers.'
She described her mother as 'the person I never, ever wanted to say goodbye to' and expressed that the loss was 'paralysing' and that life would 'never, ever be the same'.
Ongoing Trauma and Recovery
In a subsequent Instagram Q&A session, Clelia revealed the enduring psychological and physical scars from the event. When asked if she would ever discuss the details of the crash publicly, she responded, 'I'm not sure. I find it very hard to talk about. Maybe in the future I will but it's still really raw.' She shared distressing images from her hospital recovery, indicating the experience remains deeply painful.
Furthermore, Clelia disclosed that she will likely never drive again due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and her physical injuries. 'No, I haven't been driving and don't see myself driving for a very long time, if ever,' she explained. She detailed the difficulty of even being a passenger, noting her first post-accident vehicle journey was in an ambulance due to her need to remain on a stretcher.
The legal proceedings continue as the case moves toward trial, with the community and fans awaiting further developments in this heartbreaking story.
