A 22-year-old driver involved in a crash that claimed the life of an 18-year-old girl last Saturday was yesterday charged with involuntary homicide and being under the influence of alcohol.

Clint Xuereb of Naxxar, a delivery and maintenance man, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail despite prosecuting officers arguing a clear message should be sent to society that driving while under the influence of alcohol was simply not tolerated.

Yana Xerri of St Paul’s Bay was the sole passenger in Mr Xuereb’s car at the time of the accident that occurred along the Coast Road in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Opel Corsa Mr Xuereb was driving towards Qawra crossed the carriageway, hit a road sign and crashed onto the rocks about a storey below road level.

Mr Xuereb also pleaded not guilty to driving dangerously, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at an excessive speed, breaching the conditions of probation and relapsing.

In pleas on bail, Police Inspectors Elton Taliana and Robert Vella argued the crime was very serious and the accused should be remanded in custody to transmit a clear message to society that driving while drunk was unacceptable.

Lawyers Edward Zammit Lewis and Adrian Camilleri said the police could not ask for bail to be denied using the argument they raised because proceedings had not even started and, besides, their client was presumed innocent until proven guilty. They noted that the only witnesses were court experts.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani granted Mr Xuereb bail against a personal guarantee of €8,000 and a deposit of €2,000.

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