A car race between two friends along a public road ended in tragedy when one of them smashed into a third car killing the driver instantly, a court heard yesterday.

Ayrton D’Amato Quintano, 19, a deliveryman from Ħamrun, was racing his maroon Jaguar S Type against his friend Shawn Borg, who was in a BMW, when the accident occurred on September 21 last year.

The race had started in Luqa, near the airport

Mr D’Amato Quintano hit a Mitsubishi being driven by Filomeno Bonavia, 55, on L-Imgieret Street in Luqa, who at the time was facing in the direction of the St Vincent de Paul home for the elderly, Police Inspector Spiridione Zammit told the court.

Inspector Zammit was testifying in the case against Mr D’Amato Quintano, who is pleading not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Mr Bonavia, involuntarily causing damage to his car and to a wall and driving carelessly and at an excessive speed. Inspector Zammit said that from the investigation it resulted that Mr D’Amato Quintano and his friend started the race in Luqa near the airport.

After the crash, Mr Borg left the scene but was arrested later saying he had seen the incident take place. He said his friend overtook him and crashed into Mr Bonavia.

A breathalyser test was taken and but proved negative.

The case continues. Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for Mr D’Amato Quintano.