Introduce new offence for reckless drivers, says grieving mother

The mother of a 27-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash in July has called on parliament to expand a proposed driving reform law to include reckless and negligent drivers who are not intoxicated.

Didi Krasteva, mother of Tenyo Kosev, made her appeal in an open letter to the government and MPs. Kosev died after his motorcycle collided with a BMW while he was riding home to Paola after a gym session.

The crash involved a 22-year-old driver from St Paul’s Bay who, according to the family, has still not faced any charges.

Krasteva is calling for a new offence to be introduced: “Causing death or grievous bodily harm through serious negligence or dangerous driving.” She said this should carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence and remove the court’s discretion to impose suspended sentences.

While specific offences such as the UK’s ‘Causing death by dangerous driving’ or Italy’s ‘Omicidio stradale’ exist to address cases like Krasteva’s request, Maltese law approaches the issue differently, treating it as two separate offences. In Malta, involuntary homicide can apply in cases where death is caused through negligence, while dangerous or negligent driving is dealt with separately under the Traffic Regulation Ordinance.

Her plea comes as parliament debates the Various Laws relating to the Prevention of Driving under the Influence of Alcohol and Drugs (Amendment) Bill, which has cleared its second reading.

My son, Tenyo Kosev, was a beloved member of this community. His life matters. If a driver takes a life through criminal negligence, whether intoxicated or sober, they must face immediate and mandatory justice- Didi Krasteva

Krasteva praised the bill for introducing mandatory jail terms for intoxicated drivers who cause death, but said it leaves a gap when the driver is sober.

According to the family, the authorities told them the BMW driver involved in her son’s death was not drunk and could not be arrested. While acknowledging that investigations take time, she said the law must not allow the severity of a crime that ends a life to be excused by sobriety.

“My son, Tenyo Kosev, was a beloved member of this community. His life matters. If a driver takes a life through criminal negligence, whether intoxicated or sober, they must face immediate and mandatory justice.”

She warned that the current approach sends the message that “if you cause a fatality while sober, the legal system will be slow, forgiving, and you will not immediately face the consequences of your negligence.”

“Do not let the new bill fail to protect citizens like Tenyo. Close the loophole. Pass a law that ensures justice for all victims of reckless driving, without exception,” she said.