Search continues for hit-and-run driver who killed Bernat Ribas

The death of Bernat Ribas, the 49-year-old cyclist who was run over by a hit-and-run driver on Tuesday afternoon, has generated consternation, but also indignation at the irresponsible attitude of the perpetrator of the accident. The Guardia Civil were still unable to locate him yesterday. On the other hand, the vehicle in which the driver was travelling when he fatally ran over Bernat, a resident of Sant Agustí, was found on Wednesday in the middle of sa Serra Grossa, specifically next to an environmental association called Casita Verde.

The Guardia Civil agents found the car there, an older model of a Jeep Wrangler black convertible with UK license plates. They moved the SUV to the police headquarters in Can Sifre, where the vehicle was towed by a team from Grúas Ibiza, a fact that was photographed by eyewitnesses. The collaboration of citizens helped the members of the Grupo de Invetigacion y Análisis de Tráfico (GIAT) to locate the car, informed the Benemérita. The agents of the armed institute are now trying to discover the whereabouts of the driver.

The events occurred around 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening, at the time when the deceased cyclist was riding along the camí de Benimussa next to Toni Tura colleague who was slightly injured. The accident also involved the driver of another car who was forced to slam on his brakes to avoid an even greater tragedy. This man was riding behind the cyclists, his mother explained. According to her, the Jeep was coming from the front when it hit them and even hit the car in which her son was riding, who was unharmed, but was shocked after witnessing what happened, she said.

Apparently, the perpetrator of the hit-and-run also hit a rock during his escape. The SUV shows damage to the front passenger side, as well as a blow to a window frame on the front of the vehicle. The victim died almost immediately, as the medical teams of the Emergency Medical Service (SAMU) could only confirm his death. The deceased was well known in cycling circles and in the municipality of Sant Josep, since he was neighbor of Sant Agustíexplained the City Council. He worked as a truck driver and had a partner.

Condolences

Among the messages of condolencethe most notable messages of condolence came from the Sant Josep Town Council and the mayor, Vicent Roig. The Consistory lamented on social networks “the tragic death of Bernat Ribas, cyclist and neighbor of our municipality.” “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones in this moment of grief and we extend our most sincere condolences from the entire corporation,” it said.

For his part, Vicent Roigsaid he was “very sad to learn that Bernat Ribas has left us suddenly in a tragic accident. Roig expressed his “best wishes to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace,” he said.

Avoiding the duty to help is an action typified in the Penal Code as a crime of omission of aid, with prison sentences that can range from six months to four years, explained to this newspaper the lawyer Jesús Herrero. This public defender indicated that unintentional hit-and-run carries penalties of between one and four years in prison. Herrero pointed out that, in the event that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, this point may be difficult to prove since it was not possible to prove the alcohol level in the moments after the hit-and-run, precisely because the perpetrator was fleeing.