A young pharmacist killed on the Gżira Strand last October was flung into the air as high as nearby palm trees after being hit by a speeding car, an inspector told court on Thursday. 

Inspector Jonathan Ransley was testifying in proceedings against 42-year-old Swieqi resident Anthony Chircop, who stands charged with the involuntary homicide of Stephanie Rapa.  

Ms Rapa, 30, was crossing The Strand at around 7.45pm on October 19 when she was hit by a speeding white Nissan bearing the number plate ‘SKYLINE’, sending her airborne.

Inspector Ransley told the court that Mr Chricop had told police two different versions of events, later denying this. However, CCTV footage retrieved from the scene of the accident showed him making a U-turn before speeding on in the direction of Sliema.

Ms Rapa had crossed the street from the seaward side, stopped at the centre strip and then continuing to cross. She had almost reached the other side when she was hit by the vehicle, flung upwards almost as high as the palm trees along the stretch of road.

READ: Young woman hit by car and killed at The Strand

The Nissan drove on a few meters before stopping, its bonnet and windscreen shattered by the force of the impact, its airbags inflated.

Mr Chircop, who emerged from his car after the impact, later told the police that he did not realise that he had run over a pedestrian. Shown footage of the accident which contradicted his versions, the man had insisted that the footage "was not realistic."

Inspector Ransley informed the court that a breathalyser test on the accused after the accident had given negative results.

The unfolding of the tragic event had been confirmed by eyewitnesses who had happened to be in the vicinity at the time of the fatality. One woman had told the police how she had heard a noise and "suddenly saw a woman airborne, high in the air before hitting her head on the ground."

As the details were revealed in court, two weeping female relatives of the victims, had to leave the courtroom, evidently distressed by the prosecution’s account.

Inspector Jonathan Ransley prosecuted. Lawyer Joseph Brincat was defence counsel. Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared parte civile.

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