A-66 Collision in Asturias Claims One Life and Injures Several Near Ribera de Arriba
A serious motorway crash occurred on the A-66 near Ribera de Arriba in Asturias, resulting in a fatality and multiple injuries. A 40-year-old man died, and four others were hurt as the incident unfolded shortly after 06:30 in the morning while travelers were moving toward Oviedo. Four vehicles were involved, including three cars and a truck, at kilometer 35,800. The highway was closed and traffic was diverted onto the N-630 and AS-I routes. The collision began when a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction crossed onto the motorway and struck another car, triggering a sequence of events that drew a large, coordinated response from emergency services and law enforcement. The affected stretch experienced a sudden standstill, with drivers and passengers left waiting as responders worked to secure the scene and prevent further harm.
The deceased was identified as Juan Jose Fernandez Jiménez, a 40-year-old resident of Mieres, who was heading to Pravia for work when the other vehicle crossed into the lane, causing the fatal impact. His loss underscores the abrupt and indiscriminate nature of high-speed crashes on busy routes, where moments can change lives forever and routine commutes become critical incidents.
The injured were taken to the Asturias Central University Hospital, known as HUCA. Among them, two men aged 29 and 28 were in serious condition and were airlifted to safety by emergency medical systems units from Oviedo and Langreo. The remaining two patients included a 45-year-old man who experienced a minor anxiety episode and a 29-year-old man who sustained eye injuries along with cuts to the hands and face. Medical teams prepared for rapid assessment and stabilization, prioritizing airway, breathing, and circulation while coordinating with hospital staff to ensure bed space and specialist care upon arrival. The scene remained under careful supervision as crews worked to prevent secondary injuries and to manage any potential delays in transport due to the number of casualties.
Firefighters helped extract those trapped inside the vehicles. Teams from the Principality of Asturias Emergency Service, SEPA, based in Mieres and La Morgal, arrived at the scene along with the head of the central district. Because the incident occurred near a border area, Oviedo firefighters were alerted and deployed, and medical teams from SAMU mobilized UVIS paramedics from Oviedo and Langreo, as well as life-support ambulances in Oviedo and Llanera. The combined effort showcased a robust multi-agency response designed to deliver fast, organized care and clear the roadway as safely and swiftly as possible.
One of the two deceased and the critically injured were removed from their vehicles with the help of firefighters. The crews from Mieres cleared debris and assisted in separating the victims, while a UVIS paramedic aided the other seriously injured person. After clearance, the body of the deceased driver in the other car was recovered and removed. The emotional and logistical challenges for rescuers were significant, as teams navigated twisted metal, smoke, and the urgency of keeping others away from the danger zone while family members awaited updates.
Those in the other two vehicles sustained minor injuries. The Civil Guard coordinated the response, with personnel from the N-630 route assisting in site clearance and traffic diversion. One of these individuals was a truck driver, and the other was the driver from the second car involved in the collision. Traffic control measures were implemented to reroute vehicles and minimize additional risk on adjacent roads, with law enforcement facilitating patient movement and providing clear information to the public through established channels.
Eighteen emergency calls were logged by the 112 Asturias emergency communications center, the first arriving at 06:34. Early reports described a vehicle traveling on the highway near El Caleyo, colliding with another car and leaving people injured and stranded. Operators coordinated with responding agencies to rapidly relay details, enabling a timely deployment of resources and the prioritization of life-saving actions.
SEPA firefighters from Mieres and La Morgal, along with the Central District Head, were mobilized to the crash site. Given the proximity to regional borders, Oviedo firefighters were also notified and deployed. Simultaneously, SAMU alerted and deployed UVIS paramedics from Oviedo and Langreo, plus essential life-support ambulances in Oviedo and Llanera. The incident was communicated to the Civil Traffic Guard, which directed procedures to secure the scene and close the highway, redirecting traffic to the N-630. The event was reported to the agencies responsible for road maintenance.
In total, seven Civil Traffic Protection patrols and one Safety Patrol from the Riosa outpost joined the response, along with a SEPA unit, illustrating a coordinated, multi-agency effort to manage the accident scene and restore traffic flow as quickly as possible. Crews worked through the morning to document the scene, collect evidence for investigators, and ensure that all affected lanes were cleared in a controlled manner to reduce the risk of secondary incidents. The dedication and collaboration among responders highlighted the importance of well-practiced protocols for major road emergencies on regional corridors like the A-66, where swift collaboration can save lives and limit disruption for daily commuters and commercial transport alike.