Youth charged over hit-and-run accident
Gives himself up to police
A Zejtun youth was yesterday charged with Saturday's hit-and-run accident that left 19-year-old skateboardist Nigel Debono in a critical condition.
Police Inspector Joseph Agius accused Matthew Xuereb, 18, of causing grievous injuries to Mr Debono, of Zurrieq, due to careless driving, and of not stopping to report the accident to the police or entrusting someone else to do so.
Just after the stroke of midnight last Saturday, Mr Debono was riding his skateboard down St Gregory Street in Zejtun when Mr Xuereb, driving a white Toyota Corolla, allegedly hit him after negotiating a blind corner. The youngster was tossed into the air and his head hit the pavement.
A police spokesman said yesterday Mr Debono's condition was stable.
The police had started contacting owners of white Toyota Corollas to examine their cars in a bid to establish the identity of the driver. But Mr Xuereb eventually gave himself up. Inspector Agius said the accused had cooperated with the police.
The 18-year-old, who pleaded not guilty to all the accusations brought against him, was visibly shocked. He was granted bail against a Lm1,000 personal guarantee. The accused's lawyer was Franco Debono.