Motorist fined €4,000 after grievously injuring woman using pelican crossing
Witness describes seeing the accused's car approach at 'abnormal' speed
A motorist has been fined €4,000 after being found guilty of grievously injuring a pedestrian after he crashed into a car waiting at a pelican crossing, sending it smashing into a woman crossing the road.
St Paul’s Bay resident Jithu James, 32, was accused of driving a vehicle in a dangerous, negligent and reckless manner and grievously injuring a pedestrian in an incident that occurred in October 2023.
A motorist who was on his way home from work at the time of incident, explained he had been waiting for pedestrians to cross a pelican crossing on December 13 Road when he saw a vehicle being driven at an “abnormal” speed.
The speeding vehicle crashed into the witness’ car, which in turn hit a pedestrian using the crossing.
The witness exited his vehicle, called the emergency services and went to assist a woman who was lying on the ground. In his testimony, he recalled that she was not in a “good” state.
Under cross-examination he confirmed he had stopped but not pulled up his handbrake. He also confirmed he had not been charged in connection with the incident.
Another witness, who had been using the crossing at the time of the incident, explained he had been crossing the road with his dog, with a woman walking next to him.
Two cars had been waiting for pedestrians to finish using the crossing, he recalled, when a third car crashed into one of the stationary cars. He added that his dog lost a tooth in the crash. The man remained with the woman until the ambulance came.
The court in its considerations held that James failed to maintain a proper lookout while driving, especially when approaching a pedestrian crossing.
The man was fined €4,000 and had 10 points knocked off his licence. He was disqualified from holding a driving licence for three months.
Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace presided.