Another black dawn in Limassol, with the city now counting 15 dead on the roads since the start of the year.
The new fatal collision occurred shortly after 1:30 am on Sunday, on the coastal road and 28th October Street, when a 26-year-old driver, positive for alcohol and drugs and, according to testimonies, travelling at excessive speed, hit and killed a 20-year-old cyclist from Syria.
He was Ahmad Al Matar, a recognised political refugee.
The collision happened just before the Enaerio traffic lights. As stated from the scene by the head of Limassol Traffic Police, Marios Charalambous, the 26-year-old was driving a saloon car westbound when, under circumstances being investigated, he struck the young cyclist, who was also travelling on the coastal road.
The 20-year-old was taken by ambulance to Limassol General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The driver underwent preliminary and final alcohol tests, as well as a drug test, with positive results. He was arrested for offences committed in the act and placed in custody.
Regarding the cyclist’s position, Charalambous noted that examinations are at an early stage.
There is, however, testimony that the 20-year-old was cycling within the roadway and was not wearing a protective helmet, despite the fact that there is a cycle lane on the coastal front.
Particular significance is attributed to the large distance between the point of collision, the point where the bicycle ended up and the final point where the vehicle came to rest, something which, according to traffic police, indicates excessive speed at the moment of impact.
Also considered significant is testimony from a police officer who was at previous traffic lights.
According to what he stated, the 26-year-old was driving at breakneck speed and had violated the red light at the traffic signal system at the previous junction, a violation confirmed by relevant footage.
The 26-year-old was brought around 9:00 am before Limassol District Court, which issued a six-day detention order.