The magistrates’ court in Gozo ordered a man to pay a total of Lm7,132 in compensation after he was found guilty of causing a car accident that left another man injured suffering eight per cent disability.

The victim, Eucharist Mizzi, filed a criminal complaint in the Gozo court against the two drivers involved in a head-on collision.

The court, presided over by magistrate Paul Coppini, heard how on 22 March 1999, in Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem at around 7.30 pm, Eucharist Mizzi was the front seat passenger in an Isuzu driven by Raymond Xerri, which was involved in a car accident with another car driven by Giovanni Grech.

Mr Xerri was driving towards Victoria while Mr Grech was driving wrong way in the opposite direction.

In his statement after the accident took place, Mr Grech said that he was “proceeding towards Mgarr at a moderate speed in order to catch the next ferry back to Malta, when without realising, he kept on going against the one-way traffic sign, and consequently collided with Mr Xerri who was driving in the opposite direction.”

Later on, Mr Grech added that it was his first time driving in Gozo and he became confused about which part of the road he had to take to drive to the ferry. He went on to say that as soon as he realised what he was doing, he reduced his speed and looked out for the nearest place he could get out. Mr Grech also said that the road was not lit well and that Mr Xerri was driving at a high speed.

Mr Xerri said that while he was driving towards Victoria in the outer lane, he saw headlights coming in his direction as he turned the corner, and in a matter of seconds crashed into a car.

Police Sergeant Frank Gauci, who was called on site after the accident took place, told the court that he suspected that Mr Grech was drunk, and as a result asked him to take a breathalyser test.

Sergeant Gauci testified that the result of the breathalyser test was 58 units, when the legal limit is 35 and, therefore, Mr Grech could not fully concentrate on his driving to notice the traffic signs indicating the direction he had to take.

He also added that, according to the length of the brake marks, none of the two cars were over speeding, as a result, Mr Xerri could not be blamed for the accident.

Mr Mizzi told the court that he was seriously injured and had to be operated upon urgently at St Luke’s Hospital and could not go to work for eight weeks.

He went on to say that, at that time, he was employed as an official with the Public Cleansing Department and was also employed, on a part-time basis, as a director with Enemalta Corporation.

The court decided that, as a result of the accident, Mr Mizzi suffered from eight per cent disability.

In handing down his judgement, magistrate Coppini found Mr Grech solely responsible for the accident and ordered him to pay Mr Mizzi a total of Lm7,132 in compensation.