The Guardia Civil have arrested a 32-year-old man after he ran over a policeman at an alcohol and drug checkpoint in Santa Cruz (Tenerife), as well as being charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
A police press release reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning when officers stopped a car at a checkpoint to breathalyse the driver, who after slowing down, accelerated and ran one of them over to escape being tested.
The officer suffered various injuries and had to be taken to hospital for treatment, while the Guardia activated a search to find the culprit. Through coordination with other patrols, it wasn’t long before the car was spotted and the driver apprehended.
After being officially identified he was arrested and then breathalysed, which came back positive showing he was over the legal limit to drive. However, he faces much more serious charges now than he would have done if he had just had the breath test in the first place.
The press release explains that “a crime of attack against an agent of authority is punishable by between 3 and 6 years of imprisonment”. The crime of driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by imprisonment for 3 to 6 months or a fine, and a ban from driving.
In addition, reckless driving is punishable by imprisonment from six months to two years and deprivation of the right to drive motor vehicles and mopeds for more than one and up to six years.
The detainee, along with the relevant police reports, has been handed over to the Investigating Court number 3 of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which ordered his admission to prison.
