Taxi driver charged over Regional Road tunnel fatality

A taxi driver was yesterday charged with the involuntary homicide of Loredana Nemes, the young woman run over in the Regional Road tunnel near St Julian’s during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Luciano Tabone, 59, of Balzan, was also charged with reckless driving, speeding and relapsing. He denied all charges.

The court, which was presided over by Magistrate Anthony Vella, heard Nemes’ boyfriend Luciano Agostini give his account of the evening, which revealed that the couple had returned home at around 2am from a dinner in St Julian’s and had not consumed much alcohol beyond a cocktail as he had work the next morning.

Agostini went on to say that when at home, the couple had an argument, after which he left the residence and began walking to his brother’s holiday home in Paceville. He said that traffic was coming from behind him and did not notice Nemes was a few steps behind.

Nemes was in the middle of crossing the road, Agostini said, when the vehicle hit her.

He said that at the time he had not heard any braking, and that the tunnel was well lit while Nemes wore a bright floral print dress.

Agostini’s brother, Raffaele, also gave his account in court, and confirmed that they did not consume much alcohol at the restaurant.

Tabone did not speak during the arraignment.

Defence counsel Peter Paul Zammit requested bail, which was not objected to by the prosecution.

Noting the offence was of an involuntary nature, the court granted the accused bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €4,000.

Inspector Nikolai Sant is prosecuting. Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared parte civile for the victim’s family.