Motorist indicted on involuntary homicide

Josephine Dimech, 51 of Zebbug, was placed under a bill of indictment after the court ruled there was enough evidence to support the charges of involuntary homicide levelled against her.

Inspector Kylie Borg accused Dimech with causing the death of Rosario Tonna,70, through negligent driving. The incident happened 200 metres from the Valletta police station on 30 December 2012.

At around 2pm, having just finished lunch with her husband at Aaron's Kitchen in Valletta, the woman drove her Mercedes C200 vehicle down Archbishop Street. The elderly man was wheeling his moped up the street to park it inside his house when he was hit by the Mercedes. Upon impact the bike was thrown onto a parked vehicle, but the man was caught under the wheels of the car.

Oblivious to what happened, Dimech drove on, dragging the elderly man a number of meters until onlookers told her to stop the car. Tonna was found lying a couple of metres from where the car stopped. He was certified to have suffered grievous injuries and died shortly after admission in hospital.

From the dock, Dimech pleaded not guilty to involuntary homicide, negligent driving and over-speeding. She reiterated her claims that neither herself nor her husband who was a passenger in the same car had heard or noticed the car's impact with the bike.

Court expert Mario Buttigieg exhibited a report on the dynamics of the case. He explained that Tonna had been dragged a considerable distance, but did not die on site. Vomit found on the incident scene proves the victim was still alive after being ran over. An incident site plan was also exhibited by court expert Richard Aquilina.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, ruled there is enough prima facie evidence to place the accused under a bill of indictment.

Lawyers Lucio and Michael Sciriha are appearing for the accused.

The case continues on 1 April.