A video shows that the person responsible for the attack at the Espanyol stadium had already hit a fan.
The driver, who has been released on charges, says she accelerated due to confusion.
BarcelonaA new video from the night of the accident next to the RCDE Stadium A video of the Cornellà derby, minutes before the derby between Barça and Espanyol, shows that the driver had already hit someone before the acceleration that injured 17 Espanyol fans. Sources with access to the investigation consulted by this newspaper confirm that there was a first collision, which knocked down a woman, and that the driver –who is free on charges– stated that he accelerated due to confusion.
As can be seen in the images, the vehicle was moving at low speed, but this initial collision provoked a massive response from the Espanyol fans. In fact, this incident prompted the arrival of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), who received an initial warning of a trapped car and deployed to try to clear a path. However, the woman found herself between the fans and two garbage containers, and the Espanyol supporters heckled her and threw objects at the car, damaging it. She tried to move forward and, according to police sources, in the midst of the tension, she lost control, accelerated, and hit several people in front of her until the vehicle crashed into some fences.
On Saturday, the duty court in Cornellà de Llobregat agreed to release the woman on charges. She is required to appear in court periodically and when required. The judge also revoked her driver's license and impounded her car. The woman tested negative for alcohol and drugs and her mental state will be assessed to determine whether she may have lost her temper when surrounded by the crowd. In fact, sources with access to the investigation explain to ARA that the woman claimed she suffers from mental health problems.
The court is keeping the case open for three offenses: one against road safety, one for disobedience, and one for injuries due to recklessness. It is now waiting for all the injured to have medical reports detailing the severity of their injuries. Currently, two of the 17 affected remain hospitalized. One is 41 years old and remains in the ICU in serious condition with a head injury. The other has a broken leg. The remaining affected (15) have already been discharged.
