A WIDOW whose husband was killed in a crash during a vintage car run says she has “lost my husband, my best friend and my future".

It comes after lorry driver Michael Black, from Crawley, was convicted of causing death by careless driving after the accident during the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2019.

Ronald Carey, the driver of the 1903 Knox Model C car, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife Billi Brady also suffered life-threatening head injuries.

Analysis of Black’s phone found that a call was being made at the time of the crash.

Ronald, a Canadian oil tycoon, was driving the 118-year-old vehicle that had no front windscreen, door or roof and a top speed of 30mph when it was rear-ended.

The Argus: Ronald Carey (right) and his wife Billi Ronald Carey (right) and his wife Billi

Scott Brady, prosecuting, referenced Billi’s victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing at Guildford Crown Court.

“The last thing she remembered was being in jovial conversation with her husband over a small inside joke,” he said.

"She gives an account of her husband, he was a wonderful smart vibrant man who achieved much success in his years on this Earth.

"He was by every measure a self-made man. He was an inventor, businessman, collector, historian, philanthropist, financial provider, protector, and most importantly a loving husband, father, stepfather and grandfather.

"He had an immensely young spirit."

Ronald’s widow added: "My life has been dramatically altered. I've heard it said many times that time will heal, but it's not true.

"Ron's death may be further removed from the present but the feeling of loss, sadness and loneliness is every bit as real and painful today.

"On the day of his death, I lost my husband, my best friend and my future."

Black, who was collecting a load for the smart motorway roadworks on the M25 when the crash happened, claimed he didn’t know it was illegal to "tap" a mobile phone while driving.

The Argus: Lorry driver Michael Black, from Crawley, was convicted of causing death by careless driving after the accident during the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2019 Lorry driver Michael Black, from Crawley, was convicted of causing death by careless driving after the accident during the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2019

He also said he didn’t see the car in front of him until it was too late due to the sun distracting him.

Ronald and Billi, who had travelled from Canada to take part in the annual car rally, had mistakenly driven up the slip road for the M23, instead of the designated rally route on the A23.

Both were thrown from the vehicle during the crash.

Black was jailed for 20 months and disqualified from driving for 22 months.

Judge Patricia Lees the case is “a tragedy for all involved”.

"A life was lost because of your decision to make an unnecessary and unlawful telephone call while driving a tipper truck on the A23,” she said.

"The victim personal statement sets out the impact of what you did and the loss of the closest members of his family that they have individually and collectively suffered.

"It is an extremely touching statement not just in respect of her terrible loss but also on behalf of family members still grieving their husband, father, stepfather and grandfather."