Briton, 35, ‘without a licence’ is arrested for killing a cyclist in Ibiza after turning himself in to police
- Bernat Ribas, 49, was killed in a collision with a British jeep on Tuesday night
- The driver took off immediately, but turned himself in to police yesterday
The man accused of hitting and killing a Spanish cyclist in a hit-and-run in Ibiza on Tuesday is a 35-year-old British national who did not have a driver’s license, police said today.
They confirmed his nationality as well-placed sources said the detained man is a Scottish expatriate.
Earlier in the day, the vehicle involved in the accident, a black Jeep Wrangler, was found abandoned about three miles from the crime scene.
It was towed away so it could be analyzed by forensic experts.
The dead man is 49-year-old Bernat Ribas, a well-known local sports enthusiast who had participated in many cycling races over the years.
His funeral will take place tomorrow.
The vehicle involved in the accident Tuesday night, a black Jeep Wrangler, was found abandoned about three miles from the crime scene
The victim is 49-year-old Bernat Ribas
Ribas was a well-known local sports enthusiast who had participated in many cycling races over the years
The arrested man, who is still held in police custody awaiting trial, has so far only been locally identified by his initials – SD
A source close to the investigation described him as a Scottish expat reportedly from Glasgow.
A spokesman for the Guardia Civil said: ‘The Guardia Civil has arrested a British man aged 35 as the suspected author of the crimes of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident, reckless driving and driving without ever having the relevant authorization got to do this. .
“After the accident allegedly caused by the detainee, he fled.
“The Guardia Civil spent all day yesterday locating him and the vehicle, which was found in a remote area of the municipality of Sant Josep.
“Around midnight, the suspect handed him over to police at a San Antonio station, where he was read his rights and taken to another police station.”
More details about the incident that led to the cyclist’s death came out overnight.
The driver of the Jeep Wrangler is believed to have collided head-on with Mr Ribas on a narrow road called the Camino de Benimussa in the municipality of Sant Josep before hitting a rock as he fled the scene.
The cyclist was with a friend who, together with a second motorist behind the two men, gave the police a description of the vehicle.
The right-hand drive Jeep was found by an ecology and education center a short drive from the scene of the tragedy after a police call for information.
Bernat Ribas was an avid cyclist and took part in several races in Ibiza
A local ambulance is pictured near the scene of the accident in Ibiza
Ibiza Town Mayor Rafa Triguero paid tribute to Bernat on social media after hearing news of the incident, which took place six years after a drink-and-drug driver killed 34-year-old cyclist Dani Vinals at a another collision in Ibiza.
‘It’s not just a cyclist on two wheels, because the many lives of many families are on bicycles.
“We have just received another sad message, after losing Dani not so many years ago.
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the dead man and the cycling community.”
Sant Josep Town Hall said in a condolence message: “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time of pain and we extend our sincere condolences to them.”
Mayor Vicent Roig added: “I was very sad to hear that Bernat Ribas has suddenly left us after this tragic accident.”