A significant amount of alcohol appears to have been consumed by the 45-year-old businessman responsible for the car crash in Chania, which left 22-year-old Panagiotis as the victim.

Reports indicate that the businessman had a blood alcohol level of 1.99 g/lb, far exceeding the legal limit of 0.50 g/lb for blood tests, or 0.25 milligrams per liter of inhaled air. Additionally, pharmaceutical substances were found in his system.

The 45-year-old man has a heavy criminal record.

In 2018, he was sentenced by the Single Municipal Court of Chania to 10 months in prison, suspended for three years, after being caught driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also fined 1,200 euros, and his driving license and number plates were revoked. Furthermore, in 2002, the same court imposed a 30-day jail sentence for a violation of the Road Traffic Code.

Two arrests

According to police sources, the 45-year-old, who reportedly loved fast and expensive cars, had been arrested twice. In 1995 for traffic code violations and in 2006 for a drug law violation.

Sentenced for domestic violence

He is in constant legal conflict with his estranged wife as well, as apart from the disagreement they have over the custody of their child, there are pending against him ex officio prosecutions for domestic violence, according to what the wife herself allegedly said in the petition filed before the Chania Court of First Instance, in which she asked for exclusive custody of their daughter.

“Throughout our marriage, my ex-husband has been violent, using psychological and physical violence against me, unfortunately in front of our child. Because of this behavior, on several occasions I had resorted to the police for help. However, most of the time, he persuaded me, in tears, not to press charges. Nevertheless, he was already facing criminal charges of his own motion for domestic violence. But apart from his violent behaviour, he goes to the gyms every day, taking drugs that make him even more violent, and everyone’s home life has become a living hell. At home, we all tremble at the mere sound of his car engine. He responds to my protests with violence, insults and threats. He’s been harassing me to all my employers and making sure I’m thrown out of all the jobs I get. The 45-year-old is facing a felony charge of dangerous driving.