Newsroom
A single moment in 1995 changed a man’s life forever, and now, more than 30 years later, the courts are giving him another shot at justice.
The victim was trying to cross Morphou Avenue in Archangelos when a car hit him, leaving him quadriplegic and even robbing him of the ability to speak. His wife, acting on his behalf, first sued the driver, but the case was dismissed. The courts said the driver wasn’t at fault, leaving the family frustrated and without answers.
Refusing to give up, she turned her sights to the Attorney General and the Municipality of Lakatamia, arguing the road itself was dangerous: unlit, without pedestrian crossings, and a “deadly trap” for anyone walking there. That case was also thrown out, the lower court calling it “abusive.”
But the Supreme Court disagreed. In a March 24 ruling, justices slammed the first court for never even considering the man’s injuries, liability, or damages. “The lower court didn’t evaluate the testimony, didn’t examine liability, and ignored the severe impact on the victim’s life,” the ruling said.
Now, the case will be retried, and this time, it’s expected to get priority. For the victim’s wife and family, it’s a long-overdue chance to finally have the law properly weigh the consequences of that split-second accident.
Beyond one family’s fight for justice, the case casts a harsh spotlight on road safety in Cyprus. Dangerous intersections, poor lighting, and a lack of pedestrian protections continue to put lives at risk, and this retrial may finally push the authorities to take action.
