Briton accused of causing quad driver's death

Justin West, a 39 year-old Briton, was accused in court today with having caused the death of quad bike driver Tony Grixti yesterday through careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The incident happened at 10 a.m. at Triq Sant' Andrija, St Andrews.

West was also accused of driving dangerously and ignoring traffic regulations.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

The accident happened when Mr Grixti, 60, stopped his quad to turn into a side-street close to the Forum Hotel.

The  Briton was driving a hired yellow Peugeot 107 which crashed into the quad, overturning it and sending it crashing against another car.

Mr Grixti’s crash helmet came off and he suffered severe head injuries. He died a few hours later in hospital.

The British man, who police sources said failed the breathalyser test, was also hospitalised.

The driver of the third car, a silver Peugeot 107 driven by a 35-year-old from Mosta, suffered shock but did not require hospital treatment.

Mr Grixti, a bachelor, worked at the Hilton Hotel stores and was on his way to visit one of his sisters. He had nine siblings.

He took his quad out on the road for the first time on Wednesday, having exchanged it with another one,” he said.

This is the first quad bike fatality since their introduction on Maltese roads. Drivers and passengers of quad bikes must wear crash helmets by law.

By 2008 there were approximately 800 such vehicles on the road, but their number has increased considerably over the past years.

There is even an association for quad bikes in Malta though the head of the organisation, Oliver Ellul, said Mr Grixti was not a member.