Driver fined €1,000 after crashing into lawyer and magistrate in Swieqi
The accident took place in May 2022 as court finds accused was speeding on the wrong side of the roundabout
A man has been fined €1,000 and banned from driving for three months after a court found he was speeding on the wrong side of a Swieqi roundabout before crashing into a car driven by a lawyer, with a magistrate as a passenger.
Luke Galea was charged over the collision, which happened at 11.15pm on May 14, 2022, at the Triq Sant Andrija roundabout in Swieqi.
He faced charges of dangerous and careless driving, causing involuntary damage to another vehicle and causing bodily harm to the other driver.
The victim, who is a lawyer, testified in court and recalled how he was driving down from Madliena towards the roundabout, intending to continue towards Pembroke. He said when he reached the end of the slope, he stopped and saw no other cars approaching before slowly entering the roundabout.
He said that suddenly, a Toyota Tercel approached at high speed from the direction of St Julian’s and drove straight into him, hitting his car door and the bonnet.
The lawyer said he suffered bruising to his shoulder which caused pain that lasted for several months.
The passenger, a magistrate, also testified. She said she saw the Toyota approaching from the direction of St Julian's and warned the driver, but it was too late to avoid the crash.
She said the impact was significant and that the other vehicle hit them head-on on the driver’s side. She also suffered some bruising.
The court heard evidence from police officers and LESA officers, who presented reports from the scene.
Doctor John Bradley Swain told the court the lawyer had complained of pain in his right shoulder, reduced mobility and difficulty lifting his arm. However, he said there was no swelling or deformity. Two other doctors, John Casaletto and Reuben Depasquale, certified the lawyer’s injuries as slight.
Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici said the evidence, including brake marks, showed Galea had been driving on the right-hand side of the roundabout instead of keeping to the left.
The court said long brake marks on the inner part of the roundabout showed Galea had difficulty stopping and had been driving faster than was safe for a roundabout.
It also noted that the impact was strong enough to spin the lawyer’s car into the opposite lane, while the front of Galea’s car was completely smashed.
The court said that had the lawyer stopped at the give-way sign and waited until the roundabout was clear, the situation would likely have been different.
However, it ruled that the gravity of the collision was the direct result of Galea’s dangerous speed and his failure to remain on the correct side of the roundabout.
Galea was fined €1,000, had his driving licence suspended for three months and had five penalty points added to his licence.