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Families waiting to watch the Three Kings parade in Cádiz were sent fleeing in panic on Monday January 5 after a drunk driver ploughed his car into the cordoned-off area where crowds had gathered.

 

The incident happened at around 5.15pm on Avenida Andalucía, fortunately before the parade had actually begun. The driver, who was well over the legal alcohol limit, recklessly entered a restricted zone that had been closed to traffic, specifically on Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez at the intersection with Avenida de Andalucía.

 

In scenes that must have been absolutely terrifying for those present, the vehicle mounted the footpath where a large crowd was already waiting for the arrival of the Three Kings. The car crashed through several protective barriers, creating what police said was a serious danger of people being run over.

 

Panicked attendees began grabbing their children and fleeing the scene while frantically alerting police officers who were preparing for the security operation.

 

National Police officers immediately gave chase as the driver left the official parade route and headed towards the Bahía Blanca area, smashing into several parked vehicles along the way before officers finally managed to intercept and block the car on Calle Hibiscus.

 

At this point, the intoxicated motorist strongly resisted arrest, turning what was already a serious incident into something even more concerning. Eventually they managed to get him into custody, but not before he'd added assault against authority and serious active resistance to his growing list of charges.

 

The man, a Spanish national with a long criminal record, registered a breathalyser reading of 0.8 mg/l, nearly double the legal limit.

 

The detained man later told officers from his cell that he couldn't remember what happened due to his state of intoxication.

 

He's now been arrested as the alleged perpetrator of assault against an authority agent, serious active resistance, damage and serious alteration of public order. That's quite the rap sheet to add to an already lengthy criminal record.

 

Image: Policia Nacional