A man whose car smashed into a wall and electricity pole early on New Year’s Day, killing his friend on the spot, insisted to the police he was driving at 50km per hour when he felt the back tyre lose grip at the bend, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

Police sergeant Jason Xerri was reading a statement from Terrence Tanti, 22, from San Ġwann, taken hours after the traffic accident that claimed the life of 22-year-old law student Matthew Meilak.

The fatal crash happened at about 3.45am in Rabat Road, Nadur, when the 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.

Mr Xerri said there were visible blue marks on the wall as well as the electricity pole.

He said only one of the other three passengers in the car could explain what happened that evening. Alex Scerri Herrera, who was sitting at the front, told the police he felt the car swerve to the right as it was negotiating a bend.

The other two passengers who were sitting on the back seat, Edward Cole and Miguel Camilleri, who was seriously injured in the crash, could not say what had happened. None of the other passengers – or the driver – were injured.

The police sergeant was testifying in the first sitting of the compilation of evidence against Mr Tanti who stands accused of Mr Meilak’s involuntary homicide and with driving his Peugeot 106 under the influence of alcohol.

Mr Tanti is also charged with seriously injuring Mr Camilleri, driving negligently, carelessly, and in a dangerous manner.

Mr Meilak succumbed to severe head injuries, which he sustained when he was thrown out of the car, ending up on the ground metres from the wrecked vehicle.

The first impact seemed to have been on the back side of the car on the driver’s side. The back tyre came off with the force of it. The sergeant said it was not raining at the time of the crash but could not say whether the road was wet with dew.

Replying to questions by defence lawyer Joe Giglio, Mr Xerri confirmed that the electricity pole, which was installed in front of the wall, was not protected with padding and neither was there a crash barrier.

Police inspector Bernard Spiteri said that since the police suspected Mr Tanti was driving under the influence of alcohol, the duty magistrate ordered blood samples. No results were mentioned as these have to be exhibited by the court experts.

The case continues next month.

Inspectors Spiteri and Frank Tabone prosecuted while lawyer Joe Giglio appeared for Mr Tanti.