Valletta crash: Husband watched wife put chairs in luggage boot, then passed out
Mildred Azzopardi was killed when a speeding car crashed into her parked car
The husband of Mildred Azzopardi, the woman who was crushed to death between two cars in Valletta last year, has told a court that the last thing he remembers before blacking out was sitting in the car and seeing his wife place two chairs into the luggage boot.
Alfred Azzopardi was seated in the car, which was parked across the road from the sea at Ta’ Liesse, when another vehicle crashed into it. His wife, aged 62, was putting items into the boot at the time. She was crushed between the two cars and died on the spot. The tragedy happened on July 27.
Azzopardi, a former footballer, testified via a Zoom call during the compilation of evidence against 23-year-old soldier Benjamin Chetcuti, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary homicide and drink-driving.
Chetcuti, from Paola, was driving a Subaru Impreza that allegedly crashed into the Azzopardis’ Ford Fiesta. Previous court proceedings revealed that a breathalyser test showed his blood alcohol level was more than five times the legal limit, and that he was driving at an average speed of 98km/h.
During his testimony, which took place virtually as he was not physically fit to attend court, Alfred Azzopardi told Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech that on the day of the incident he and his wife had sat by the sea, eating cheesecakes.
When they decided to head home, he crossed the road and got into the car. He could see his wife in the rear view mirror as she put the folded chairs into the luggage boot. But he could not recall what happened next.
The next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital.
The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyer Danika Vella, assisted by Police Superintendent Nicholas Vella. Lawyers Franco Debono, Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri are representing the accused. Lawyers Peter Fenech and Luigi Fenech are appearing for the victim’s family.
Happier times - A large framed photo of Mildred and Alfred Azzopardi hanging in their living room..