The seventh edition of the Subida a Taboadela in Ourense was stopped abruptly on Sunday, 23 August 2026, after local driver Jesús López, known as Pijo, was involved in a fatal crash. It happened during the day's first official run. López, 48, lost control of his Forwin RS23, which struck a parked vehicle before hitting a house wall near the end of the course. The car caught fire on impact. Emergency services arrived quickly, but López died at the scene. Coverage in El Correo Gallego also appeared in Empordà and Regió7, which identified López as the driver killed in the hill-climb crash.
The crash also left two people seriously injured: a spectator and a fellow driver who tried to help and suffered burns. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. Medical teams at the scene also supported López's wife and goddaughter, who were at the event.
The Federación Galega de Automobilismo confirmed the death and announced that the competition was cancelled immediately. News of the crash shook the local motorsport community. Many expressed condolences and recalled López's long-standing presence in regional racing. La Voz OURENSE reported that López had finished ninth on the event's first day and was considered one of this year's standout competitors.
López was well known in the Ourense racing scene as a driver and mechanic. He co-owned the +Taller workshop, where he and his team prepared competition prototypes, including the car he drove in Taboadela. He also competed in rallies, rallysprints and slalom events, earning respect for his technical skills and competitive spirit.
Jana Fraga, president of Escudería Ourense and a close friend, said López's loss was deeply felt. She recalled his positive presence and the impact he had on those around him. Fraga said López had prepared vehicles for major competitions, including the Rali de Marruecos, and was known for his dedication behind the wheel and in the workshop.
Local institutions, including the Concello de Taboadela and the Diputación, expressed sympathy to López's family and friends. His return to mountain racing after a seven-year break added to the sense of loss among those who knew him. Ourense mayor Gonzalo Pérez Jácome also sent a message of support after the crash.
López began competing at a young age, driving a Seat 124 in the regional mountain championship. Over the years, he became closely associated with his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, which brought him impressive success and a mountain championship title. He competed across several disciplines and built a legacy in Galician motorsport.
Fatal accidents at public events are rare, but they underscore the risks involved in motorsport. The Subida a Taboadela tragedy follows other incidents in Spain that have put safety under scrutiny, including the fatal pedestrian accident on Avenida de América in Madrid, which also prompted calls for improved measures (see coverage of the Madrid incident here).
Strict safety protocols govern motorsport in Spain, but inherent dangers persist, particularly in regional competitions where local drivers and fans are closely connected. Jesús López's death has left a deep mark on the Ourense community.
