The driver suspected of causing a fatal crash in Asturias, which resulted in the deaths of two people on January 31, has been found dead at his home in El Entrego, a village in the municipality of San Martín del Rey Aurelio. News confirmed by La Nueva España, the same group that publishes this newspaper, indicates that a neighbor raised the alarm after not seeing the man for several days and noticing a strong, unusual odor emanating from the residence. National Police officers then entered the dwelling and discovered the man dead inside.
Fernández, aged 68, a former physician and long-time resident of El Entrego, had been missing for around two weeks. Local Police officers had previously visited his home to deliver a court summons related to the traffic incident but were unable to locate him at that time. The chronology of events remains under investigation, with authorities reviewing nearby surveillance footage and interviewing neighbors to piece together the final movements before the tragedy unfolded. The sustained absence of any contact with the family and his sudden disappearance had prompted growing concern among local residents.
Earlier reporting detailed that Fernández was driving a Volkswagen Golf when the vehicle collided head-on with another car along the Nalón Corridor, injuring four people who were traveling in that second vehicle. The other occupants included a mother and her child who lost their lives in the crash, while Fernández himself sustained injuries and required hospital care. A man who accompanied him in the damaged vehicle was also hospitalized. In the immediate aftermath, authorities conducted a mandatory drug test, which produced positive results for cocaine, cannabis, and opiates. Investigators are examining toxicology results in conjunction with the overall accident analysis to determine whether substance use played a role in the decision to cross into oncoming traffic lanes and the severity of the collision.
The tragedy prompted a spectrum of responses from local officials and residents, who recalled Fernández as a notable figure in the community due to his professional history and long-standing ties to El Entrego. The investigation continues as authorities work to verify timelines, gather additional witness statements, and assess any potential connections between Fernández’s health status, his prior medical career, and the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials have cautioned that further updates will be provided as the case develops and as new evidence comes to light, with family members seeking clarity about the sequence of events that led to the fatal outcomes.
As this case evolves, authorities reaffirm their commitment to transparency and thoroughness in examining every angle of the incident. The community remains attentive to official briefings while recognizing that the loss of two lives has left a lasting imprint on the town of El Entrego and the broader San Martín del Rey Aurelio region. While the initial findings point toward a culpable action on the part of the driver, investigators emphasize that conclusive conclusions will depend on the full synthesis of forensic results, vehicle data, and witness accounts. In the meantime, local services continue to support those affected by the crash and to monitor any ongoing legal proceedings related to the incident, with updates anticipated as more information becomes available.