The aftermath of what appears to be an illegal race in the Holy Spirit polygon left a man seriously injured and several others hurt. A 31-year-old suffered significant leg damage after being struck by a vehicle, while three additional people sustained lighter injuries. The 25-year-old driver, identified as JVJ, tested positive for drugs and was placed in temporary detention after being charged with reckless driving, causing serious injuries through gross negligence and drug impairment.
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on a Saturday night. The gray Opel Vectra driven by JVJ was maneuvering along Danish Street in the polygon at the time. This artery connects the site’s main entrance near the gas station with the roundabout that provides access to the Parque Principado shopping center. The car was traveling south, with the mall behind it, and then took a high-speed right turn onto Austria Street opposite the public parking area.
Tire marks show that at that moment JVJ lost control, veered off the planned path, and struck a containment wall belonging to a frozen food company. The impact involved four people who appeared to be spectators of an illegal race or demonstration in progress. Two of them sustained minor injuries, and a third, while not life threatening, was taken to Asturias Central University Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The most serious case involved the 31-year-old man, who was thrown against the wall and into a trap, resulting in both legs sustaining severe damage. He received on-site care and was later transferred to HUCA, where he entered intensive observation with a grave prognosis, including the potential loss of both legs.
Emergency responders, including several police units and governorate emergency teams, arrived at the scene. A Mobile ICU transported the gravely injured individual to HUCA. The driver underwent a drug test at the scene and tested positive. Local police authorities accuse him of reckless driving, causing serious injuries through gross negligence, and driving while under the influence. He appeared in court the following morning.
In photos from the scene, the area shows the stretch where the unlawful event took place in Oviedo, marked by the chaos left behind. A judge’s temporary detention order was issued for the driver at the prosecutor’s request due to the severity of the injuries involved and the risk posed to others. The driver was sent to Asturias Prison Centre after the afternoon decision. Associates gathered outside the courthouse amid tense moments when the detention was announced.
While authorities acknowledge JVJ’s involvement, sources close to the investigation note that his profile does not neatly fit the typical participant seen in past illegal races. JVJ holds a three-year driving license, and the Opel Vectra is not a likely vehicle for such events. The car reportedly belongs to his brother and was purchased second-hand last August.
Despite these circumstances, the timing and location of the events strongly suggest involvement in an illegal race. Notable indicators include warnings issued about the activity via the Social Drive app about 15 minutes before the crash, describing the area as hosting cars moving at very high speeds near the Espírito Santo range. Reports describe drifting and extreme maneuvers common to these races in that zone, which police monitor on weekends in a persistent effort to curb the problem. Informants indicate that participants often operate a surveillance network to avoid law enforcement, deploying observers across various points to alert runners of police presence and facilitate an escape. This dynamic makes it difficult for authorities to disrupt gatherings.
Last year, the Espírito Santo polygon witnessed another illegal race incident. A car traveling at high speed collided with a street-cleaning vehicle and a washing machine, injuring the driver. The vehicle involved fled, but security cameras later identified the driver, leading to an arrest. The Espírito Santo range is not alone in Oviedo; similar activities have been recorded in La Corredoria, La Manjoya, Las Campas, and the Olloniego industrial area. A tip from an informant helped authorities halt an illegal race and identify several participants, underscoring ongoing concerns about street racing in the region.
These events highlight a broader pattern of unauthorized racing activity in various Oviedo districts, prompting ongoing police vigilance and community reporting. The authorities continue to monitor hotspots and address the risks posed to bystanders and participants alike, documenting incidents to inform future enforcement actions and public safety campaigns. The focus remains on preventing harm while balancing traffic safety and lawful vehicle use in urban areas.
In the photos: this is the area where the ordeal of an illegal race took place in Oviedo, a stark reminder of the dangers tied to street racing.