Drunk driver hits 16 people in Albufeira and attempts to flee from GNR
A 35-year-old man, a Portuguese national living abroad in the United Kingdom, was detained after hitting 16 people on Rua da Oura in Albufeira with an alcohol level of 1.29 g/l.
Hit-and-run in Albufeira leaves two seriously injured; driver detained with 1.29 g/l alcohol level
Sixteen people were injured, two of them seriously, following a hit-and-run in the bar area of Rua da Oura in Albufeira in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Google News PT — Crime reported that the GNR detained the driver, a 35-year-old man, on suspicion of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Rua Francisco Sá Carneiro. GNR personnel approached the suspect, who did not obey the order to stop and reversed his vehicle. "Moments later, when again ordered to stop by military personnel, the suspect ignored the order once more and drove towards pedestrians and the police deployment, hitting several people," the Guarda described in a statement sent to newsrooms.
The man collided with another vehicle during the escape and was eventually intercepted when he attempted to flee on foot. Subjected to a breathalyser test, he registered a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 1.29 g/l. The authorities also collected blood samples for screening for psychotropic substances, awaiting results.
Among the injured were two GNR military personnel. The various injured were transported to hospitals in Portimão and Faro, as well as to the Albufeira Health Centre, in Faro district, according to a source from the Algarve Sub-Regional Command cited by Lusa. At the scene were 58 operatives with the support of 13 vehicles.
A source from the Local Health Unit (ULS) of the Algarve indicated that six lightly injured patients were discharged. Two seriously injured patients remained hospitalised at Portimão hospital. In the Basic Emergency Service (SUB) in Albufeira, four injured patients were discharged and another four remained under observation at 4 p.m.
The GNR confirmed warning shots were fired during the incident. Rui Cristina, president of Albufeira Municipal Council, stated that "there were warning shots, which reduced the number of victims", adding that the incident was a "total disregard for the rules" by someone who was "highly intoxicated". The mayor guaranteed there was no security failure — "no way" — and described the episode as an "isolated act".
Rui Cristina recalled that "all the resources" were on Rua da Oura at the time, from the GNR to intervention police, and that "it was to no avail". The council president admitted he would reassess security measures, notably the installation of "a different type of barriers", although he noted that concrete barriers could hinder emergency assistance. "It will be very difficult to go any further; we have police reinforcement like we have never had in any year," he stated.
The mayor also highlighted recent progress in the safety of Albufeira's nightlife, pointing to the reduction in decibel levels and the earlier closing of establishments, which "used to close at 4 a.m." and "began closing at 3 a.m.".
Major Pedro Pereira of the GNR revealed at a press conference that the driver is Portuguese, an emigrant in the United Kingdom, and was on holiday in the Algarve region, not residing in Albufeira. He was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time of the hit-and-run. When he was detained, "he apologised, that was all he did," according to Major Pereira.
Regarding driving qualifications, the GNR clarified to the Observador that the driver initially presented a provisional English licence, which does not authorise him to drive in Portugal. During a search of the car, an Angolan driving licence was found, which is valid for driving within Portuguese territory, which generated the initially reported information that the driver had no valid licence.
Late in the evening, an official source from the Public Prosecution Service confirmed to Renascença radio that the Public Ministry has opened an inquiry to determine the circumstances of the accident and for an "eventual investigation of responsibility".
The Minister for Internal Affairs, Luís Neves, "condemns and deeply regrets" the "serious incident recorded this morning in Albufeira, in which a vehicle struck two GNR military personnel and a group of young people in a nightlife area much frequented by Portuguese and foreign nationals". Neves expressed "deep solidarity" with the military personnel and young people affected and their respective families, and acknowledged "the swift intervention of the GNR military personnel present at the scene", according to a statement released by the ministry.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)