The amount of alcohol in the blood of Terrence Tanti, the driver of the Gozo New Year's Day traffic fatality, was over the legal limit, a court heard this morning. 

Court expert Michael Refalo, who was appointed to take a blood sample and test it for the presence of alcohol, said there were 115mg of alcohol per decilitre in Mr Tanti's blood. The legal limit is 80mg. The sample was taken at 7.45am, four hours after the crash. 

He was testifying during the compilation of evidence against Mr Tanti, 22, from San Ġwann, who stands charged with the involuntary homicide of 22-year-old law student Matthew Meilak.

The fatal crash happened at about 3.45am on New Year's Day in Rabat Road, Nadur, when five friends were returning home after attending a private party at a farmhouse. 

The car smashed into the wall at the second bend on the long road that leads to Victoria.

Another court expert, Bridgette Ellul, who carried out the autopsy on Mr Meilak's corpse, said he had a "massive head injury", a fractured skull and a ruptured aorta.

Coronato Grech, a doctor who works at the Gozo Hospital's emergency department said he accompanied the ambulance to the scene of the accident. When he arrived he found "a smashed car" and a corpse lying face up close to the car. The victim, who had serious head injuries, was certified dead on the spot. 

Dr Refalo, who also works at hospital, said he had examined Mr Tanti, who had sustained no injuries, as well as passenger Miguel Camilleri who had fractured to his right forearm, a fractured pelvis and a bone in his lower back, had broken ribs, air around his lung, contusions to his lungs and a laceration in his bladder. 

During today's sitting before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, Jacqueline Busuttil from Enemalta's finance section said the damage to the electricity pole cost the corporation just under €1,200. 

Another court expert, Max Xuereb, who had been appointed to take photographs of the crash site, said that when he arrived on site at 3.55am it was not raining but it started raining soon after his arrival. 

At the end of the sitting, defence lawyer Joe Giglio asked the court to modify his client's bail conditions as he is still precluded from speaking to his friends, who are also his university colleagues. Magistrate Demicoli said she will decree at a later stage. 

The case continues next month. 

Police Inspector Frank Tabone prosecuted.