Drugged Up Motorist plows into group of Cyclists in Spain

A 20-year-old motorist has been charged with homicide and multiple road safety violations following a devastating collision with a group of cyclists on the N-332 highway last Sunday morning near Calpe

The incident happened at around 11.30am on Easter Sunday, near Calpe, just outside the Mascarart tunnel, the area of south eastern Spain popular with professional teams and amateurs for its winter sun.

According to authorities, the collision involved a group of 20 cyclists who were riding along the Altea-bound carriageway when the motorist, whose identity has not been disclosed, veered into the group.

The impact was catastrophic; a male cyclist from Azpeitia in the Basque Country was thrown into the air and tragically died at the scene. His 14-year-old son, who was also participating in the ride, sustained a broken femur and was promptly transported to Denia Hospital for treatment.

Drugged Up Motorist plows into group of Cyclists in Spain

Witnesses reported the scene as chaotic, with cyclists scrambling to avoid the oncoming vehicle. Local authorities confirmed that the driver was treated for shock at the scene before being arrested by the Guardia Civil.

Subsequent testing revealed that he was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the accident.

An air ambulance was deployed to the scene along with paramedics, but medical services confirmed the death of the rider at the scene. A 20-year-old man was also treated for anxiety attacks but was able to leave the scene.

The investigation into the incident has been assigned to specialized officers based in Benidorm, who focus on road accident analysis. They are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the history of the N-332 stretch between Altea and Calpe, which has been notorious for serious accidents in recent years.

Cycling advocates and community leaders have expressed their outrage over the incident, calling for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and increased awareness of the dangers faced by cyclists. "This tragic event underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to protect cyclists on our roads," said a spokesperson for the local cycling community. "We cannot afford to lose more lives due to reckless driving and substance abuse."

As the investigation continues, the local community is mourning the loss of a beloved cyclist and rallying to support the injured young boy and his family. Local cycling clubs are organizing a memorial ride to honor the victim and raise awareness about road safety for cyclists.

Drugged Up Motorist plows into group of Cyclists in Spain

Last July, a driver who hit nine cyclists in Mallorca, killing one, was jailed for three years. Anais Marco was sentenced at a court in Palma, the prison sentence accompanied by an order for the driver and her insurance provider to pay €1million to the family of the cyclist killed and €213,000 to those who were injured.

During the sentencing, the judge said she had "disregarded the most basic diligence and all duty of care, which caused the collision with the peloton of cyclists, a fact that constitutes a serious violation of the rules that must be respected by anyone driving a motor vehicle