A 26-year-old man was detained inside a Polanco supermarket after fleeing a deadly car crash in Hinojedo. The incident left one passenger dead and several injured. Authorities acted after witnesses alerted them.
The Guardia Civil has apprehended the driver who fled the scene of a deadly accident in Hinojedo, ending a five-hour search that concluded inside a Lupa supermarket in Polanco. The suspect, R. C., aged 26 and a resident of Santander, was located after witnesses recognized him near the store and notified authorities. The man, known locally and the son of a Cantabrian builder, attempted to hide inside the supermarket as police arrived with sirens blaring.
According to accounts from those present, the arrival of an unmarked police vehicle at high speed between Requejada and Polanco drew attention. The supermarket's management, noticing the suspect's physical state and uncertain of his intentions, decided to close the doors as a precaution. R. C. had previously lost his driving license due to a points suspension, though official notification had not yet been delivered.
The fatal crash occurred at kilometer 1.2 of the CA-132, after the driver evaded an early morning alcohol checkpoint. The Porsche Panamera, carrying five people, struck a traffic light and a wall at high speed. A 26-year-old passenger from Madrid, visiting Cantabria with his family, died in the collision. Three others, including two women, were injured, with one hospitalized in serious condition at Marqués de Valdecilla Hospital. Another occupant escaped unharmed.
After the crash, the driver fled on foot. Witnesses later saw him near the BP gas station roundabout in Polanco, visibly disheveled, before he sat on a wall outside the supermarket. The Guardia Civil searched for nearly five hours before locating him inside the store. The wrecked vehicle was removed by tow truck, and emergency services, including firefighters from Torrelavega and three ambulances, responded to the scene. Road maintenance crews cleared the area, but skid marks from the accident remained visible on the road.
R. C. is expected to be transferred to the Campogiro headquarters in Santander for questioning before appearing before the magistrate of Court Number Two in Torrelavega, Carmen Camargo. He also faces a separate case related to a previous traffic incident near El Corte Inglés in Santander, where his role as driver or passenger is under investigation.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and the challenges authorities face in enforcing driving bans. In a related context, the Guardia Civil has previously dealt with high-profile traffic violations, such as the case where tourists were fined for reckless behavior on the A-7 in Marbella, as reported in a recent news story.
Fatal traffic accidents remain a significant issue in Spain, with authorities emphasizing the importance of compliance with road safety regulations. The use of high-performance vehicles, combined with risky behavior such as fleeing police controls, continues to pose dangers on regional roads. The case in Hinojedo underscores the need for vigilance and swift response from both law enforcement and emergency services. As investigations continue, the community awaits further updates on the legal proceedings and the condition of those injured in the crash.
