Bulgarian world ice-dancing champion Albena Denkova has defended the right of her partner Maxim Staviiski to a new life, three years after he killed a man and left a young woman comatose in a crash, caused by drunken driving.

"I don't feel guilty because I have not done anything for this awful accident to happen. It was difficult for all of us, but I would rather not talk about that", Denkova told a broadcast of private bTV channel.

Albena, who is expecting her first child from Maxim at the beginning of next year, said she is not making any plans because she has seen how your life can be turned upside down in a split second.

Albena stressed that Maxim is following closely the condition of Manuela Gorsova, who was heavily injured in the crash, and provides financial help.

"Maxim has not seen her since the crash, because I think this would have been very inappropriate. It would have been too cruel not to care about her condition, though. We use our own channels for information and know everything about her."

"What I have learned over the last few years is that it is very easy to condemn someone. There is just one short step from "Hosanna" to "Crucify him".

"We have always wanted to compete and win for Bulgaria. I have had many offers from other countries, but we have never considered them. May be it would have been easier for us and the success would have come more quickly, but I have never even thought about that," Albena added.

The deadly crash occurred in August 2007 after Maxim Staviiski, at the wheel of his Hummer vehicle, veered into the opposite lane on a bridge over the Ropotamo River near the coastal city of Burgas, crashing headlong into another car with four people riding in it.

The driver was killed, while one of his passengers - 18-year-old Manuela Gorsova is still in coma.

Staviiski pleaded guilty to drunken driving and received a 2,5 year suspended sentence, with probation of 5 years, in addition to a four-year driving ban.