Driver who injured TM officials was also behind fatal Christmas Eve crash
Stoyan Gafà pleads guilty to raft of charges following Tuesday night crash
A 21-year-old man who injured two Transport Malta officials through reckless driving is also facing criminal charges for causing the death of a motorcyclist on Christmas Eve.
Stoyan Gafà, from Marsascala, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving a Mercedes in a reckless, negligent and dangerous manner, driving without insurance cover, driving under influence, injuring the officials, damaging three other vehicles and breaching two sets of bail conditions.
The Transport Malta officials were hurt when Gafà crashed into their car as they supervised traffic at the Santa Lucija tunnel at around midnight.
One of the officials was grievously injured while the other suffered slight injuries, a court was told. Transport Minister Chris Bonett said the crash had made him "very angry".
The Tuesday night crash scene, where Transport Malta officials were injured.The Mercedes that Gafà was driving was still registered to a third party and had not yet been transferred to his name, the court was told.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they immediately recognised Gafà, who was arraigned last month over the fatal Christmas Eve collision that killed Angie Marlene Mesa Gonzalez. He is also facing charges in connection with another reckless driving incident which left a person grievously injured last December.
Gafà tested negative for alcohol, but a urine sample was requested. He later told the police he consumed cannabis before driving the car.
Gafà also stands accused of driving uninsured and while under the influence of cannabis in the case concerning the death of Gonzalez on Christmas Eve. A prosecutor in that case told the court that insurance companies have refused to insure him.
Bail was not requested during Wednesday's arraignment.
In submissions on punishment, the prosecution noted that the man had several court-imposed conditions involving different amounts of deposits and that guarantees were not a sufficient deterrent to refrain from driving without insurance cover and not hurting other people.
Legal aid lawyer Nadya Fiott highlighted that the man had cooperated fully with the police and registered an early guilty plea.
The case was adjourned to February 19 for judgment.
Magistrate Monica Vella presided. Police inspectors Clive Abela and Nathan Bugeja prosecuted. Legal aid lawyer Nadya Fiott assisted the accused.