A delivery driver and a Transport Malta official have pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of an elderly woman who was struck by a van during roadworks in August 2024.

A 34-year-old driver and a government transport official appeared in court on Monday morning to face charges connected to the death of 77-year-old Carmen Buttigieg. 

The victim was certified dead at the scene after being hit by an Isuzu van in Triq Isqof Scicluna, Qormi, on the afternoon of 27 August, 2024.

Francis Degiorgio, who was behind the wheel of the Isuzu NQR at the time of the accident, and Jesmond Muscat, 56, acting in his capacity as a Transport Malta official on duty, were both charged with involuntarily causing the death through negligence. 

Degiorgio is also facing a separate charge for reckless driving.

The incident occurred near a well-known bakery in an area where roadworks were actively being carried out.

At the time of the crash, the driver was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for observation, while a magisterial inquiry was immediately launched into the fatality, which was the second road death recorded that day.

On Monday, the first court hearing before Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia was briefly delayed when it emerged that neither the prosecution nor the defence were prepared to present evidence during the hour the court had allocated. 

The case will continue being heard in October. 

The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyers Ramon Bonett Sladden and Jurgen Dalli, assisted by Inspector Wayne Bonello.

Lawyer Nikolai Bugeja and Alexandr Boiciuc appeared for the accused. 

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are appearing for the victim's family.