The lawyer of an alleged victim in a traffic accident this morning claimed conflict of interest by a court appointed expert.

This morning also saw the charge against Canadian Jean Guy Legendre, 67, from Quebec, increase in severity.

Mr Legendre, who was pleading not guilty to injuring three people, including his wife, is now being charged with the involuntary homicide of his wife Renèe Pelland, 63, who died a few days ago.

He is also being charged with slightly injuring a fourth person and damaging his rented car and a BMW involved in the accident. He is also denying driving dangerously.

In the accident, at Triq l-Infetti, just outside Mdina, Mr Legendre himself suffered a broken arm and leg.

The Chevrolet Kalos he was driving crashed into a BMW Z3 sports car, driven by 26-year-old Clayton James Fenech.

He and his passenger, Mark Camillieri from Sliema, were on their way to Saqqajja Hill.

A third car, a Toyota Vitz, driven by Paulina Buhagiar, 55, also crashed with the two cars moments after the initial impact.

In Ms Buhagiar's car were her husband, Anthony, 60, and their four-year-old grandson.

During the last court sitting, court appointed expert Mario Buttigieg testified that the accused was not to blame for the accident, in which he was the victim.

This morning, lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, appearing for alleged victim Mr Fenech, claimed that Mr Buttigieg was and possibly still is employed with Gasan Mamo Insurance, the insurers of Mr Legendre's rented car.

This, he said, was a direct conflict of interest and he contested the expert's report as part of the evidence.

Mr Legendre's defence lawyer Stefano Filletti said that Dr Azzopardi should go through the proper procedures when making such allegations.

Magistrate Edwina Grima ordered that evidence of Mr Buttigieg's employment be presented in court.

She deferred the case to November.