A trucker involved in a fatal collision with a Canadian millionaire taking part in the world-famous London to Brighton Veteran car rally today told a jury he did not think 'tapping' a mobile phone while driving was illegal.
Michael Black, 52, was behind the wheel of his tipper lorry on the M23 southbound when his truck smashed into the back of a 1903 Knox car driven by 80-year-old Ronald Carey.
Mr Carey's wife Billi, who was at his side as a passenger, survived the crash, which took place at around 10am in the morning of November 3, 2019, near Hooley, Surrey.
Mr Black, of Crawley, West Sussex, denies one count of causing death by dangerous driving and another of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Ron Carey, 80, had been at the wheel of a 1903 Knox Runabout 'Old Porcupine' vehicle with his wife Billi. This photograph is thought to have been taken hours before he died
Mr Carey, pictured with his wife Billi, was described as 'very well-respected and well-liked'
Police at the scene of the crash on the M23 near Hooley, Surrey, on November 3, 2019
The jury at his trial at Guildford Crown Court today heard he had been trying to phone one of his friends, known as 'Richie' in the moments before the collision.
Under cross examination, Mr Black admitted he had tapped his phone screen to place a call before the accident, which happened as Mr Carey's 116-year-old Knox travelled at around 20mph in the third lane of the M23 .
Mr Black said: 'I actually thought it was alright to tap it [his mobile phone].
'I did not think that it was any worse than touching a stereo. I am not saying that it is alright, but I just tapped the phone.'
Asked if he was in denial that he had done anything wrong, Mr Black became emotional and added: 'That is not true. I am sorry that is not true.
'Obviously someone has passed away and I have to live with that for the rest of my life and I can never undo that and I have got to live with that every day of my life.
'I am not saying that I did not do anything wrong. Obviously I hit the car, which was wrong but unfortunately I did not expect to come across a vehicle doing 20mph in a four-lane motorway with a 70mph limit.'
Mr and Mrs Carey were pictured riding the Knox vehicle on the Mall at the start of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
Mr Carey is understood to have taken the wrong lane and ended up on the M23 shortly before the crash on November 3, 2019
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