Woman, 75, ‘died after hit by car of Lottery millionaire’

A LOTTERY winner killed a 75-year-old woman in a Christmas Day car crash after taking his eyes off the road to find his twoyear-old son’s teddy bear, a court has heard.

Matthew Topham, reported to be Britain’s youngest EuroMillions jackpot winner after winning £45m in 2012, had been visiting his wife’s family before the collision at 5.50pm on December 25 2019.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Topham took his eyes off the road for “up to three seconds” before crashing his BMW into a Ford Fiesta driven by 78-year-old Rodney Regler, on Louth Road, in North Cockerington, Lincolnshire.

As a result of the crash, Mr Regler’s wife, 75-year-old Mary Jane Regler, died from severe chest injuries.

Mr Regler provided a statement to the court in which he said he shouted “Christ’s sake, he’s on my side of the road” just before the crash, adding: “Then I was hit, then it went quiet.”

Jurors were told the 31-yearold defendant admitted causing death by careless driving, but has denied his driving was dangerous.

The prosecution said Topham had reached into the back of his car to find his “upset” son’s teddy bear, but looked round after being unable to locate it.

He collided with Mr and Mrs Regler’s Ford Fiesta as the couple made their way home from Christmas dinner at their son’s house.

Opening the case against Topham on Monday, prosecutor Michael Cranwell-Brown said: “He had just left Rushmoor Country Park where he had been visiting his wife’s parents.

“It is accepted that the collision was entirely the fault of this defendant.

“For up to three seconds before the collision, he did not have his eyes on the road.

Topham, of Swinderby, Lincolnshire, denies causing death by dangerous driving and serious injury by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.