A devastating accident at the Rally Villa de Llanes claimed the life of 20-year-old copilot Soraya Barreiro Rodríguez after her car, driven by her partner, crashed and caught fire. The event was immediately suspended as the motorsport community reeled from the loss.
Fire tore through a BMW 325i on the LLN-7 road in Asturias. Germán Romano Mier, 26, crawled out, his skin burned, trying to reach his copilot and partner, Soraya Barreiro Rodríguez. She was trapped inside. Romano fought to save her, but the flames were too much. Soraya, just 20, died in the wreck. The Rally Villa de Llanes stopped cold. Shock hit everyone—drivers, organizers, fans.
The crash happened at kilometer 14 in the El Mazucu section. This part of the course is usually straight and less risky than the rest. The road was dry. Barriers stood in place. Still, the car veered off, cleared the guardrails, and landed in the woods. It caught fire right away. Emergency crews got the call at 13:53. By 14:09, medics confirmed Soraya was gone. Firefighters put out the blaze by 14:36. Her body was taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Oviedo.
The accident occurred during the second run through the Mazucu section, with the crew competing under number 61.
Romano suffered burns while escaping and trying to rescue Soraya. He was rushed to Hospital Comarcal de Arriondas. No official word yet on how badly he is hurt. The couple raced for Escudería Villa de Llanes, car number 61. This was only their second official rally together. They shared a love for the sport.
The Guardia Civil's Road Accident Investigation Team is now handling the case. Investigators say it is too soon to know what caused the crash. The fact that it happened on a mild stretch, with good asphalt and working barriers, has left many in disbelief. People who know the rally can't explain it.
Organizers called off the rest of the event right away. The rally had started Friday and was set to run through Sunday. Their statement was blunt: "We understand that the sporting competition is of no importance and must stop immediately. We stand, more than ever, with the family and friends." The race was over. Nothing else mattered.
According to several Spanish and international media outlets, this was the 49th edition of the Rally Villa de Llanes, and the incident led to the immediate cancellation of all remaining stages. Local communities in Llanes declared mourning and suspended related festivities in tribute to Soraya Barreiro Rodríguez.
Grief swept through the rally world. Driver José Antonio Suárez wrote, “Anything today that is not being with the family of my colleague Soraya and especially with Germán is completely unnecessary. Every time a tragedy like this hits close, my heart tightens to the extreme.” Llanes mayor Enrique Riestra sent condolences to Soraya's family and to Romano. He called these "difficult moments." The pain was everywhere.
Motorsport in Spain is no stranger to risk. But losing someone so young, on only her second official rally, hit hard. The crash happened on a section thought to be safer than most. That fact has left people asking tough questions about rally safety. Even when conditions look good, danger can strike. The search for answers is on. The community mourns. These questions echo concerns raised in previous investigations into safety and technology in modern vehicles.
This loss shows how harsh motorsport can be. No amount of preparation or safety gear can erase all risk. Stopping the rally was the only right move. Organizers acted fast. Their decision put people first. As the investigation moves forward, the focus must stay on truth and learning. Soraya Barreiro Rodríguez deserves that. So does everyone who loves this sport.
