Pedestrian Stumbles on the Seafront Promenade: Tourist Hit by Drunk Driver

Nighttime accident on the Seafront Promenade: A fall, a collision

What at first glance seemed like an unlucky sequence of events sparked a large-scale operation in the early hours on Avenida Gabriel Roca. Around 1:40 a.m., a 48-year-old British tourist lost his footing while crossing the road at the median – apparently over one of the irrigation pipes running there. At the same time, a car traveling from the city along the avenue, driven by a young woman, struck the man.

According to witnesses, the tourist lay unconscious on the roadway for a short time. Ambulances and a SAMU 061 vehicle arrived quickly; local police were also on scene. The injured man was taken to Son Espases Hospital in a very serious condition. He could later be identified using a card he carried.

Closure, detour and alcohol test

Police completely closed the Seafront Promenade toward the airport to allow the rescue operations. Drivers were diverted via Porto Pi — at night this caused noticeably loud honking and delays for taxis.

The driver, about 20 years old, and her passenger remained physically unharmed. However, a breath-alcohol test for the woman showed almost four times the legal limit. She claimed she had only “one beer.” According to people close to her, she still planned to drive to Felanitx.

What remains – Questions and warnings

The case is now the subject of police investigations. Whether charges for drunken driving will follow depends on further findings. For residents and late-night revelers, the sobering takeaway is that some accidents happen in seconds, often at places not thought of as crossings. A warning to everyone out late — be careful, watch your step when crossing, and don't rely too heavily on alcohol.

I spoke with a bar owner nearby: “At this time there’s always something going on here, but I’ve never seen anything like this.” A small town, short distances — and yet a wrong decision can have big consequences.