AVE rail service along San Antonio road in Zaragoza faced a disruption when a car collided with the train line, forcing a closure for several hours early on Wednesday. The driver, identified as Paula CM, recorded a breath test of 0.69 mg/L by local police at the scene, and she confirmed she had no valid license due to point loss. The following day, Paula and her partner, referred to as RBG, appeared before Zaragoza’s 8th Court of Inquiry. Both maintained that it was RBG behind the wheel when the vehicle lost control after the clutch failure. Paula’s test also returned a reading of 0.77 mg/L for alcohol.
The incident occurred around 23:30 on Tuesday, October 31, when a car jumped onto the AVE tracks on San Antonio road. Local Police patrols were dispatched to the area, and officers saw a woman leaning against the driver’s door while a man tried to offer reassurance.
Initial attempts to mislead investigators by claiming the vehicle had been stolen were abandoned when RBG admitted that she had been the passenger at the moment the run-in occurred. Breathalyzers on both individuals indicated alcohol levels above the legal limit. Paula registered 0.69 mg/L, while her ex-partner showed 0.77 mg/L.
Say goodbye to the 15 meter fence
The crash caused rail traffic to stop from 23:30 on the 31st to 01:20 the following morning. The incident also damaged a perimeter fence that runs along the road. Repairs were completed at dawn, covering a wide stretch of nearly 20 kilometers.
In subsequent proceedings before Zaragoza’s 8th Court of Inquiry, Paula and her partner altered their statements, indicating that Paula was driving at the moment of the clutch failure and the vehicle ended up on the railway lines. The case curbs the notion that the vehicle was moved from its original position. The defense for Paula argues she faces charges for an initial offense against road safety due to driving under the influence of alcohol and for driving without a valid license, owing to loss of points and suspension. The defense team also notes Paula faces two additional cases involving offenses against road safety.