Sofia City Court heard from the first two witnesses today in the trial over the death of 14-year-old Filip Arsov, who was hit by a car on Gurko Street in Sofia in September 2023. Both said the road was dry.

Petar Todorov is charged in the case. The trial is starting for a second time because the previous panel of judges withdrew from the case in March.

The first witness was walking along Ivan Shishman Street towards the junction with Gurko Street when he saw the boy crossing at the pedestrian crossing. "I heard the engine revving, like someone pressing the accelerator hard," he told the court.

He turned and saw a car hit the boy at high speed. The impact threw the boy off the road and over the guardrail. Asked about brakes, the witness said he heard only the engine revving, and after the impact the car carried on down the street.

The witness added that Todorov came back to the scene soon after the crash with a group of people. He said Todorov looked anxious and said nothing. The people gathered there began pointing at him as the driver.

The second witness was out walking on Gurko Street and saw the crash after hearing a loud noise. He went closer to see what was happening. A girl was with the boy, trying to give first aid.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Filip's father said at least several more hearings with witness questioning are still to come. He hopes the court will schedule them faster this time. He said the court is right to read out the witnesses' earlier statements and let them confirm or deny them.

"Sadly, after three years many of them don't remember some parts of what happened," the father said. He believes this will not change the outcome of the case, because there is enough other evidence that proves the facts beyond doubt.