A 19-year-old driver has been remanded in custody after a tragic incident in Larnaca left his friend, a fellow 19-year-old national guardsman, in critical condition. The incident occurred late on Monday night, around 11:30pm, in a car park behind the Mackenzie entertainment venues.
- Police have confirmed that alcohol and drug tests conducted on the driver returned negative results, and the investigation continues as they await further witness statements and technical evidence.
The driver faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm and reckless endangerment after the victim reportedly fell from the moving vehicle, sustaining severe head injuries. Initial accounts offered by both the driver and a passenger have raised questions due to significant discrepancies in their testimonies, leading to a deepening investigation.
Larnaca: Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
During the court proceedings, the investigating officer revealed that the statements from the driver and passenger were markedly different from what was later disclosed. The judge approved police requests for the driver’s detention, emphasising the nature of the incident, which involved the victim allegedly lying on the vehicle when he fell.
On Tuesday, police described the event as an accident, claiming that the victim was struck while trying to board the car. However, the driver’s voluntary admission, which altered the narrative significantly, prompted the case to be transferred to the Larnaca traffic unit.
Legal Proceedings and Testimonies
Defence lawyer Paris Loizou did not contest the remand of the driver but took the opportunity to question the investigating officer regarding the circumstances surrounding the driver’s admission of the vehicle being in motion at low speed, with no apparent motive for the fall. The officer noted that there are still approximately ten additional statements pending, including those from potential eyewitnesses.
Victim’s Condition Remains Critical
The injured guardsman was first taken to Larnaca General Hospital by friends before being intubated and transferred urgently to the intensive care unit at Nicosia General Hospital. His condition is reported as extremely critical, with life-threatening head injuries.
Ongoing Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Authorities have conducted a reconstruction of the incident and are actively seeking CCTV footage to clarify the circumstances surrounding the fall. Initial court proceedings revealed that police requests for the driver’s arrest were initially rejected based on preliminary statements, but this changed dramatically following the driver’s voluntary testimony.
Police have confirmed that alcohol and drug tests conducted on the driver returned negative results, and the investigation continues as they await further witness statements and technical evidence.
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