A dismissal of charges of embezzlement and probation for drunk driving was issued. This was the decision of Sassari preliminary hearing judge Giuseppe Grotteria against Salvatore Masia, mayor of Cheremule, accused of driving the municipal service car, a Renault Megane Tech, while under the influence of alcohol.
The incident dates back to March of last year: Masia was driving a municipal vehicle to Ardara, where the hiring of a city clerk was to be formalized. On the return trip, however, the trip took a disastrous turn: on the 128 bis highway, near Mores, the mayor rear-ended a Lancia Delta, crashing into a guardrail and then into a lamppost.
Fortunately, the driver of the other car was not injured, but the damage to the municipal car was extensive. The Carabinieri, who responded to the scene, found a blood alcohol level above the legal limit for the mayor, who was 50 at the time.
The legal proceedings, initiated following the accident , concluded today: the judge dismissed the charge of embezzlement, while ordering a six-month probationary period for driving under the influence of alcohol, with a fine of 800 euros.
Meanwhile, Masia began personally paying for the damages suffered by the city car, which – ironically – he had driven for the first time that very day.