• Around 200 cars and 600 people gathered on a public road open to traffic to perform or witness numerous dangerous manoeuvres.
• Five individuals are under investigation for road safety offenses due to reckless driving, showing “blatant disregard for human life or physical integrity.”
• The event organizer has been reported for causing public disturbances and seriously compromising public safety.
The Civil Guard is investigating a massive illegal gathering in La Rioja, involving approximately 200 vehicles and 600 attendees, where multiple dangerous stunts were performed on a public road open to traffic.
As a result, five men, aged between 19 and 40, are being investigated for road safety offenses due to reckless driving that demonstrated “blatant disregard for human life or physical integrity.” A sixth person has been reported for organizing the event and causing public disturbances.
This investigation was made possible after officers from the GIAT (Traffic Investigation and Analysis Group) of the Civil Guard identified several videos on two well-known social media platforms showing the illegal gathering, which took place in the La Senda industrial estate in Alfaro, La Rioja.
At the event, hundreds of vehicles and people congregated, with some participants performing manoeuvres that not only violated multiple traffic and road safety laws but also appeared to constitute criminal offenses.
DRIFTING AND SPINS JUST INCHES FROM PEDESTRIANS
The footage captured depicts a series of highly dangerous actions, including one particularly alarming incident: a passenger leaning out of a moving vehicle without any restraint, risking being thrown out and falling onto the road.
The recordings reveal numerous reckless and dangerous manoeuvres carried out with complete disregard for public safety. Drivers, without any form of control, blocked the road, obstructing traffic and exposing pedestrians to serious risk.
Additionally, the videos show vehicles moving at high speeds, crossing paths with each other in close proximity to onlookers. They performed stunts commonly known in motorsport circles as “drifting” and “donuts.”
In some scenes, cars are seen skidding just inches away from pedestrians, forcing several people to quickly move aside to avoid being hit. In another moment, a vehicle is seen drifting without one of its tires, causing the exposed metal rim to scrape against the asphalt, generating sparks.
Other clips show people attempting to hold back a car while the driver aggressively accelerates, endangering both pedestrians and other vehicles in the area, increasing the risk of collisions or accidents.
SENTENCES OF UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON
As a result of the investigation, authorities have identified and located five of the individuals involved, residing in La Rioja, Álava, and Navarra. After processing, they have been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities and the road safety prosecutor’s office.
Those involved face potential prison sentences ranging from six months to five years, fines lasting six to twelve months, and a driving ban for a period of one to ten years.
Additionally, the organizer of the illegal gathering has been reported for a serious violation of the Citizen Security Protection Law, due to public disturbances caused by blocking and obstructing a public road with vehicles, significantly compromising public safety.
The Civil Guard’s Traffic Unit and Public Safety Division maintain constant surveillance to prevent such illegal activities and mitigate the risks they pose to road safety.
This operation was carried out by the GIAT of the Civil Guard’s Traffic Sector in La Rioja.
