A 71-year-old Franciscan priest faces accusations related to a road-safety crime after a traffic incident in Torrent. The driver, who reportedly consumed alcohol before operating the vehicle, allegedly struck a child under five years old. A breathalyzer test measured a blood-alcohol level exceeding the legal limit, confirming intoxication at the scene after the test was administered.
Local reporting indicates the crash took place on Monday afternoon along Avenida del Vedat in Torrent, with the priest’s vehicle traveling at a notably slow pace at the moment of impact. Emergency responders from SAMU treated the young child for a head injury at the scene. The child’s mother and her four-month-old infant were also taken to the hospital after the incident, following a fall caused by the emergency and the mother’s accompanying distress. Hospital staff implemented precautionary measures for the family while they received care.
According to CICU sources, the collision occurred when a Fiat Panda struck a child under five on Avenida del Vedat de Torrent at approximately 5 p.m. Despite the low travel speed, the attending crew noted head injuries in the young victim, who was transported for further evaluation. The mother, who experienced an anxiety crisis, and her infant were relocated to Hospital La Fe in Valencia for ongoing management and observation.
Torrent Local Police units arrived quickly at the scene and conducted a breathalyzer test on the driver, revealing a reading near 0.70 mg/L. A subsequent measurement yielded 0.72 mg/L on a second attempt, indicating a positive result for driving under the influence. Police sources state that if confirmed, the incident would constitute a crime against road safety.
Preliminary investigations suggest that glare from the sun at the street’s exit, combined with diminished reflexes from alcohol consumption, may have impaired the driver’s ability to brake in time, though the vehicle did not appear to be traveling at high speed. Investigators are reviewing whether additional factors contributed to the accident, including potential visibility issues and the driver’s medication or health status at the time.
The Torrent Local Police Reports team has concluded its on-site work and is forwarding the case to the competent court. Prosecutors will decide on the appropriate measures for the driver based on the court’s assessment and the findings gathered by officers at the scene. This case underscores ongoing concerns about road safety and the penalties for driving under the influence in Spain. [Citation: Torrent Local Police, 2024 update]