moving car — moving car — A 19-year-old driver has been remanded in custody following a tragic incident in Larnaca that left a fellow 19-year-old national guardsman in critical condition. The driver faces serious charges of causing grievous bodily harm and negligent acts after the victim fell from the moving vehicle, sustaining severe head injuries.
The incident unfolded late on Monday night, around 11:30pm, in a car park behind the Mackenzie entertainment venues. Initial reports indicated the victim might have been struck while attempting to board the vehicle, but this account shifted dramatically after the driver provided a voluntary statement to police.
During a court hearing, an investigating officer detailed how the testimonies from the driver and a passenger varied significantly from earlier statements. The judge approved a request from law enforcement for the driver to be detained, noting that the victim was allegedly lying on the vehicle when he fell and sustained his injuries.
Defence lawyer Paris Loizou did not contest the remand but raised questions about the investigation, particularly regarding the driver’s admission that the vehicle was moving at low speed. The officer indicated that around ten additional witness statements are still pending, including crucial eyewitness accounts.
The injured guardsman was initially taken to Larnaca General Hospital by friends before being transferred to Nicosia General Hospital’s intensive care unit. His condition remains extremely critical, with life-threatening head injuries.
Authorities have conducted a reconstruction of the incident and are actively seeking CCTV footage to clarify the events leading to the injury. The group of friends, primarily national guardsmen on leave, had gathered in the car park after dining at a local restaurant, attempting to arrange their transport home.
Preliminary court proceedings on Tuesday had initially rejected a police request for the driver’s arrest based on early statements. However, the situation changed dramatically after the driver’s testimony prompted a re-evaluation of the incident.
Police confirmed that alcohol and drug tests conducted on the driver returned negative results. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities awaiting further witness statements and technical evidence to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.
