Motorist fined €700 over negligent driving

Peter Mamo, 57 of Paola was today fined €700 and had his driving license suspended for two months after being found guilty of seriously injuring a motorcyclist due to his negligent driving.

On 6 December 2010, Mamo was driving up Triq Ghajn Dwieli, Paola, when he hit a motorcyclist, John Pisani.

Inspector Yurgen Vella accused Mamo with negligent driving which led to the victim suffering grievous injuries.

Taking the witness stand Police Sergeant Conrad Ellul described the scene of crime.

“I discovered a car was involved in an accident with a motorcycle. The cyclist was complaining of pain in his leg and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The accused held he was about to park when the incident happened.”

The victim recounted how he was driving his motorbike up the road but was stuck in traffic.

“However all of a sudden a car came from my right side and smashed into me without even attempting to brake. I was thrown off the bike and on impact the motorcycle’s frame was badly damaged.”

A medical examination revealed he had suffered fractures to the tibia, fibula and toes.

The accused rebutted Pisani’s version claiming he was trying to access a parking bay when the motorcyclist overtook him on the inside, hit his left mudguard and fell. “I got out of the car and saw the victim limping. I tried to comfort him and called the ambulance myself.”

The court explained that the two parties gave different versions of what had happened, however “there is no doubt that Mamo’s actions attributed to the incident. Irrelevant to the reason behind it, he crossed a traffic lane without indicating his manoeuvre, and this resulted in an incident.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri found Mamo guilty as charged. The accused was fined €700 and had his driving license suspended for two months.

Inspector Yurgen Vella prosecuted.