Prosecuting QC Melbourne Inman told the court that the striker lost control of his Mercedes CL55 coupe, causing the collision on Saturday, November 22 2003 whilst returning from a night out. Inman then alleged that Hughes was driving too quickly when the Mercedes collided with a Renault Scenic in Pickford Grange Lane, near Meriden, at about midnight.
A rear seat passenger in the Renault, 56-year-old Douglas Graham, died almost immediately when the car was catapulted into a lamppost by the force of the crash. The driver of the Scenic suffered multiple injuries and Mr Graham's wife, Maureen, and another passenger were also hurt.
Speaking to a jury of nine men and three women, Mr Inman went on to say that Hughes was driving home after visiting two pubs in the local area and was was accompanied by a friend and three men whom he had not met previously.
"The prosecution say that the defendant's car was out of control, being driven too fast, and it smashed right into the front of the car Mr and Mrs Graham were in."It was a very big impact. The collision was such that Mr Graham died almost instantly."
The court was told that the defendant and his long-standing friend, who were in the front of the Mercedes,leaving the other three occupants to be rescued by the emergency services, then fled the scene.
Inman also added: "The defendant then hid for a day and a half until the following Monday - more than 36 hours later. "What happened was caused by this defendant. "He lost control of what we will hear was an extremely powerful car."