The 44-year-old defendant in the quadruple fatal crash that occurred 30 minutes after the new year on the Limassol – Platres road was not called upon to respond to the charges he faces as expected.
The proceedings before the Limassol Criminal Court were adjourned until March 28, 2024. The lawyer representing the 44-year-old defendant, Lambros Pieris, informed the Court that his client was not ready to respond to the indictment, as new evidence was submitted just 15 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.
On the part of the Prosecution, it was mentioned that new evidence was delivered by the Police just yesterday.
Regarding the request for additional time on the defendant’s side, the Prosecution did not object.
The lawyer for the 44-year-old stated that he needs an additional 15 days to consult with experts to advise him on various aspects of the case.
The 44-year-old was escorted back to the Central Prisons where he remains under arrest.
First-degree relatives of the four victims were present in the courtroom, witnessing the brief proceedings.
The collision occurred at the traffic-light-controlled intersection of Yiannou Kranidioti and Ayias Anastasias streets in Limassol, half an hour into 2024. Two siblings and their grandparents died after colliding with an incoming pick-up truck while trying to turn right at the intersection.
The defendant faces 10 charges, including 4 counts of manslaughter, which carries a life sentence. The other 4 charges relate to causing death by reckless, careless, or dangerous driving in violation of Article 210 of the Penal Code, while the remaining two charges concern driving at a speed endangering human life and non-compliance with traffic lights, which was red.
As previously reported by philenews, the defendant was driving his vehicle at a speed calculated at 108 km per hour, which is twice the limit on the specific road where the multiple fatal collision occurred.
The speed of the involved vehicle was scientifically calculated, with a crucial factor being the recording of the vehicle by a security camera.
From the moment the vehicle appears until the collision, the time duration is measured and analysed to determine the speed, while other factors are also taken into account (illumination, brake signs if any, etc.).
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