Missing wheel helps police solve hit-and-run case in south Tenerife

A wheel left beside the road has helped the Guardia Civil trace a driver suspected of leaving a seriously injured moped rider without assistance after a collision in Adeje, south Tenerife.

The investigation, details of which were reported yesterday, Friday 23rd October, concerns an accident that happened at approximately 12.30am on 1st October, at kilometre 44 of the TF-82 near Armeñime.

The 36-year-old driver is being investigated for alleged failure to assist the victim and causing injury through negligence.

When officers arrived, emergency medical staff were already treating the injured rider. He told investigators that a car had struck him from behind, throwing him from his moped, but he could remember little else.

He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

A trail leading away from the collision

During their examination of the scene, officers found a wheel on the left-hand side of the road, together with marks in the ground.

Those clues led them to a car parked approximately a kilometre from the collision.

Investigators identified the suspected driver within hours. The man subsequently returned to the scene, where he was informed that he would be investigated over the collision and his alleged failure to help the injured rider.

The case was handled by the Guardia Civil’s specialist road collision investigators based in Granadilla.

Their report has been passed to the relevant judicial authority. No court outcome has been announced.