A Romanian national has appeared in court accused of causing the death of a six-month-old baby girl who was struck by a car in a multi-storey car park in Wales.
Court Appearance and Charges
Flaviu Naghi, 34, from Luton, Bedfordshire, pleaded not guilty to two charges at Swansea Crown Court today. The charges are causing the death of Sophia Kelemen by dangerous driving, and causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs.
Naghi, assisted by a Romanian interpreter, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing. Judge Catherine Richards adjourned the trial until 12.30pm tomorrow. A jury was not sworn in and Naghi was released on bail, with the trial expected to last for three days.
The Tragic Incident in Pembrokeshire
The fatal incident occurred on January 2 last year on the ground floor of a car park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Sophia, who was from the Leigh area of Manchester, was in her pram when she was hit by a car.
She was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for emergency treatment but died the following day. An opening inquest at Pembrokeshire Coroner's Court heard that Sophia died from an intracranial haemorrhage caused by a road traffic collision.
Family Tribute and Fundraising Appeal
It was previously revealed that the driver was a close friend of the baby's parents, Alex and Betty Keleman. Naghi had been on a New Year's break in Wales with his wife and the couple.
In a heartfelt online tribute, the baby's aunt, Adriana, described the day as the family's "worst nightmare". She wrote that Sophia was airlifted with a broken pelvis and a brain bleed and was ultimately diagnosed with brain damage from the impact.
"Despite the efforts of the doctors, Sophia could not cope with the impact, the surgery, anaesthesia, the brain and all the injuries were too much for her fragile heart, which eventually gave out," Adriana stated.
She had set up a fundraising page to help with funeral costs and repatriation, describing it as an event "no one could have ever expected or planned for, especially right after the Christmas holidays".
The case continues at Swansea Crown Court.
