Driver charged after Sliema crash leaves delivery man with amputated leg
Police say accused was over alcohol limit when Y-plate vehicle crashed into van
A delivery driver had his leg amputated after a crash in Sliema on Wednesday, allegedly caused by a drunk driver now facing multiple charges.
Ahmed Tahruni, 33, who lives in Attard and is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to causing the victim’s injuries through careless and dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving a Y-plate car without a valid permit and giving the police the wrong details.
Police inspector Clive Abela told the court on Thursday that at 7.20am on Wednesday, a routine police patrol on the Strand in Sliema came across what looked like a bad accident involving a Y-plate car that had crashed into the back of a van, leaving a man stuck between the two vehicles.
After the 57-year old victim from St Paul's Bay had been given first aid and taken by ambulance to Mater Dei Hospital, police administered a breathalyzer test to the Y-plate driver, whereby he was found to have a positive reading of 131.8. Y-plate drivers are required to have no alcohol in their systems at all times.
Abela said the accident had been captured by nearby CCTV cameras.
Upon searching Tahruni, police found a Dutch residence permit and an expired Maltese residence permit.
Defence lawyer Jacob Magri requested bail. The prosecution objected, arguing that the nature of the crime was a serious one, given that the victim was in a critical condition, having had one leg amputated, while surgeons were trying to save his remaining leg at the time of writing.
The prosecution also pointed out Tahruni was under the influence of alcohol and had not initially given his correct name to police, that there was a risk of tampering with the evidence and that the man was a flight risk with no fixed address.
The defence countered that all evidence had been preserved thanks to the CCTV footage, and that the testimony of the victim or any eyewitnesses would not change the nature of the case. Magri said the accused has family in Malta, and had a pending application for asylum status.
Magistrate Astrid May Grima agreed with the prosecution’s arguments and rejected the bail request.
Jacob Magri and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the accused. Kathleen Calleja appeared parte civile for the victim.