A sombre cloud hangs over Torrevieja today following news of a fatal traffic accident
that unfolded during the early hours of Saturday morning on the notorious N-332 ring
road. The collision, a head-on impact, shattered the silence around 4am the Parque de
las Naciones, ultimately claiming the life of a 44-year-old Peruvian national.
The driver of the other vehicle, reported to be of Irish origin, was behind the wheel of
a rental car at the time of the incident. Shockingly, the driver chose to flee the scene
on foot, leaving behind a scene of devastation.
The incident involved just two vehicles: the car operated by the deceased Peruvian
driver and the rental vehicle driven by the Irish national. It was revealed that the rental
car had been leased only a few days prior to the tragic collision.
Responding swiftly to the emergency call, the Torrevieja Local Police patrols arrived at
the scene of the accident, even though the jurisdiction of the road technically falls
under the Civil Guard's remit. The local officers' proximity allowed them to reach the
scene promptly, fully aware that there was at least one victim in dire need of
assistance.
Emergency services were simultaneously alerted by the Emergency Coordination
Centre of the Generalitat (CICU) and promptly dispatched to provide necessary
medical aid and support.
The Torrevieja ring road, characterized by a single lane in each direction and enduring
a daily influx of heavy traffic, has long been a focal point of concern for authorities.
This stretch of road has earned the grim distinction of being an accident "black spot,"
as officially designated by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), where overtaking
manoeuvres are strictly prohibited.
Sadly, the N-332 has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent years. During the
summer months, minor rear-end collisions between vehicles occur almost daily.
Despite ongoing concerns and mounting accident statistics, improvements to this
highway have languished in bureaucratic limbo for over 15 years.
As the investigation into this tragic incident unfolds, the Torrevieja community is left
grappling with the loss of another life on a road long plagued by safety concerns. The
memory of this accident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for
improvements to enhance the safety of all travellers who navigate this treacherous
section of roadway.