Prosecutors wrap up case against driver charged with fatal Valletta crash
Soldier Benjamin Chetcuti is pleading not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Mildred Azzopardi
The prosecution in the case against a man charged with causing the death of Mildred Azzopardi – the 62-year-old woman who was crushed to death between two cars in Valletta last year - has declared it has no more evidence.
The prosecution declared it has closed its case - which means that the case documents now go before the Attorney General to issue the official charges before the defence starts making its case.
Benjamin Chetcuti is pleading not guilty to involuntary homicide and drink-driving.
Chetcuti, a soldier from Paola, was driving a Subaru Impreza that allegedly crashed into the Azzopardis’ Ford Fiesta on July 27 2025, at Ta’ Liesse, Valletta.
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 in January, Alfred Azzopardi - a former footballer and the husband of Mildred 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.