Italian Driver on Trial in Monaco for Serious Road Accident Injuries

A 27-year-old Italian driver was tried in a Monaco court on Tuesday, charged with causing a serious road accident that severely injured a motorcyclist nearly ten months ago. The accident occurred on January 30, 2024, on Boulevard d’Italie when the driver, a home beautician, illegally turned left across a solid white line and collided with an oncoming motorbike. The collision, which the presiding judge described as a "catapulting," resulted in significant injuries and left the motorcyclist immobilized, with both vehicles irreparably damaged.

Despite favorable driving conditions on the day of the accident, the driver acknowledged the crash was a result of a momentary lapse in attention and has since begun wearing corrective glasses to enhance his driving vision. The motorcyclist, meanwhile, has faced a challenging recovery, suffering from persistent shoulder pain after three weeks of temporary incapacity. His legal representation has pushed for a thorough medical examination to evaluate the possibility of long-term health consequences.

Deputy Attorney General Morgan Raymond highlighted the gravity of the incident, pointing out that it could have been fatal. The court concurred with the severity of the offense, handing down a 2,000-euro fine to the driver and an additional order to compensate the victim in the same amount. The prosecution had proposed a five-day suspended sentence and a total of 2,150 euros in fines. Furthermore, a medical assessment was ordered to ascertain the full extent of the motorcyclist's injuries to determine any further compensation needed.