Driver fined after reversing onto motorcyclist in supermarket carpark

An 82-year-old man was slapped with a €1,000 fine on Monday, nearly three years after he grievously injured a motorcyclist in a supermarket parking area in Qormi.

Carmel Aquilina, from Msida, was charged with negligent driving, failing to observe traffic regulations, and causing grievous injury to a motorcyclist on November 26, 2023. The victim was placing his helmet in a box at the rear of his motorcycle in the Lidl car park when he was hit on the back by a reversing car driven by Aquilina.

The court heard how police found the Daihatsu driven by Aquilina had crashed into a railing in front of the establishment.  They also found the motorcyclist, a then 26-year-old man from Żebbuġ, on the ground, where a medical team was assisting him. He was then taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was certified as suffering from grievous injuries. 

The motorcyclist explained how he had parked his motorcycle near the trolley area. He was in the process of placing his helmet in the rear container when he felt an impact on his back. When he turned around, he saw a car pressed against him and saw its rear window broken. 

He felt pain in his back, became frightened and did not move. Some people started shouting, and one man tried to push the car off him. 

As a result of the accident, the motorcyclist said he spent months feeling no sensation in his legs but was still able to walk. Following medical examinations, it was concluded that he had not suffered any fractures and was sent home. 

He identified the accused as the driver of the vehicle. 

Emergency doctor Sarah Scerri also testified and said the victim suffered grievous injuries.

“White cloud” obstructed the driver's vision

During his testimony, Aquilina explained how on the day of the accident, he had gone shopping at the supermarket, and as he began reversing the car, he suddenly saw a “white cloud”  before his eyes, causing him to lose his vision. At the same time, his foot pressed down hard on the pedal, and he continued to reverse. 

He testified again on February 2 2026, where he presented a medical report showing that before the incident, he did not suffer from any similar episodes. 

He testified that a year after the incident, he was at a petrol station in Msida filling his car when he suddenly felt himself freeze as he experienced a similar episode. 

He said that since that day, he stopped driving and voluntarily surrendered his licence. 

Different accidents mentioned in court 

The court examined the medical report provided by Aquilina, where doctor Mario Scerri noted how the accused was involved in a traffic accident on June 26 2023, where he alleged that he thought he had pressed the brake pedal but in fact pressed the accelerator. The medical report said Aquilina did not remember the details of the impact, as he apparently felt unwell and did not remember further details. 

The faintness he felt was accompanied by slurred speech, and he was admitted to Mater Dei Hospital, where it was found he had suffered a transient loss of consciousness, which he regained shortly after. 

He was discharged from the hospital on June 27. 

The court considered the medical report, but noted that the incident occurred on November 26, months after the accused was hospitalised and that it did not relate to the date of the incident being examined in the case. 

The court considered that if the accused said that he had this problem in June 2023, continued driving and then had an accident three months later, where a person ended up grievously injured, and continued to drive until a year later, it showed that the accused did not take responsibility for his actions. 

The court noted that while the accused said he surrendered his driving licence, no proof was ever brought before the court. 

The court said no evidence had been presented showing Aqulina had been examined by a doctor or taken to a hospital on the day of the November incident. He added that there was no testimony from witnesses who had seen him dazed or unconscious. 

The court also noted that Aquilina was reversing in a car park full of people and in the trolley area, where there were people, including elderly people and children. 

Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici said the facts showed that Aquilina failed to keep a proper lookout while he was reversing and had not been attentive to his surroundings and to the people present in the car park.

The court rejected the defence and sentenced Aquilina to pay a €1,000 fine and confiscated his driving licence for a month.