Justice Minister Owen Bonnici was this morning cleared of causing a traffic accident through negligence, with the court ruling that the prosecution had not proved its case.

Dr Bonnici was accused of causing the traffic accident and serious injuring a man at about 8.30pm on April 3 just outside the Santa Venera tunnels.

The court, presided by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, cleared Dr Bonnici of negligent driving.

Although the victim and his brother said Dr Bonnici was speeding as both their cars were displaced as a result of the incident, the court ruled that this was not the case.

The court heard that Dr Bonnici's Hyundai i20 crashed into a stationary Daewoo Matiz which, upon impact, crashed into a van parked in front of it.

Alies Abdul Hadi, who suffered grievous injuries as result of the accident - he will be re-examined in January to determine if he has a permanent injury - testified that he parked by the pavement when his car stopped. He called his brother to come help him and when he arrived some 15 minutes later, parked his van in front of his brother's. The bonnet was open and they stood in front of the car trying to get it to start when the impact occurred.

He said he was thrown into the air and landed almost two metres from his car. All he heard his brother saying was "Aremm, aremm" (look out).

Both he and his brother said they did not hear any screeching brakes and Dr Bonnici confirmed during his testimony that he was so "surprised" to find a car parked there that he did not even brake. The Daewoo mounted the pavement on impact after crashing into the van parked in front.

The brothers said both cars had their hazard lights and headlamps on but Dr Bonnici insisted that he saw no hazard lights. The two policemen who arrived on the scene later also testified that the hazard lights were not on.

"I was so surprised to find a car parked there, on the bend, that I did not even brake. I was not speeding as there is a speed camera outside the tunnel," he said as he explained how he almost fainted in the immediate aftermath of the accident, especially when he saw the injured man on the ground.

Police Inspector Robert Vella said the accident was caused by negligence and that Dr Bonnici did not keep a proper lookout as required by law.

However, Dr Bonnici's defence lawyers said the case had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Magistrate Stafrace Zammit upheld this argument and ruled that it had not been proven that Dr Bonnici was over speeding and that the brothers testified that the car was parked in a dangerous spot. She therefore cleared Dr Bonnici of the charges.

Lawyers Louis Bianchi and Joseph Buttigieg appeared for Dr Bonnici while lawyer Edward Debono appeared parte civile for the victims.

Dr Debono said all material damages had been paid but reserved the right to continue the case in the civil court for compensation for civil damages. He vociferously criticised the media for the "hype" it had given to this "unfortunate" traffic accident, adding that Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri was right in criticising the media campaigns on certain court cases.

As he left court, Dr Bonnici said he was an "ordinary person" and had appeared in court just like anyone. He insisted that even though the Justice Minister was in the dock, he still felt he did not have to resign because he was not charged of a voluntary crime.