Soldier charged with involuntary homicide, drink-driving in fatal Valletta crash

A 23-year-old soldier has been charged with involuntary homicide after a woman was killed in a car crash in Valletta late on Sunday.

Benjamin Chetcuti, from Paola,  was driving a Subaru Impreza that crashed into a Ford Fiesta, parked on the side of the street at Ta' Liesse in Valletta.

Mildred Azzopardi, 62, from Ħamrun, a mother of four, died at the scene after being trapped between the two cars.

Chetcuti denied all charges, including driving under influence and grievously injuring another man through negligence. 

Mildred Azzopardi died when she was hit by Subaru Impreza car. Photo: Facebook

It emerged that the car he was driving at the time was not his. He was charged with driving without valid insurance cover, causing damages to a Toyota Vitz, Znen, Yamaha, a Ford Fiesta, and the Subaru Impreza as well as of having committed a crime which he was duty bound to prevent as a public officer. 

Superintendent Nicholas Vella told the court that on Sunday the police were informed about a collision at Ta’ Liesse in Valletta.

When they arrived at the scene they found a person who was in critical condition and a dead person. The driver was identified.

The police have already started collecting CCTV footage from the area and the investigation is ongoing, the court heard. The driver was subjected to a breathalyzer test and found that he was over the limit.

Benjamin Chetcuti did not own the car he was driving. Photo: Facebook

Defence lawyer Franco Debono expressed his sorrow and condolences to the victim and her family, saying "we're all doing our jobs here but a human life has been lost and that is saddening."

He then requested bail for his client. The prosecution objected, citing that there was fear he would tamper with evidence.

AG lawyer Darleen Grima said that they have one witness who is in critical condition and the police are still going through other possible civilian witnesses. The court after hearing the submissions upheld the request for bail, against a €2,000 deposit and a €20,000 personal guarantee.

The Valletta crash was one of three traffic fatalities on Sunday. A woman died in a head-on crash in Fgura in mid-afternoon, while a motorcyclist died in Pietà a few hours later. On Saturday, a motorcyclist also died in an accident.

In the aftermath of the multiple fatalties, emergency doctor Jonathan Joslin called for random drug and alcohol testing of motorists. 

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo presided.AG lawyer Darleen Grima prosecuted assisted by police superintendent Nicholas Vella. Lawyers Franco Debono, Arthur Azzopardi, and Jacob Magri assisted the accused. Lawyer Lara Dimitrijevic appeared for the victim’s family.