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Motorcyclist Performing Wheelie Kills Soldier in Argentina
🇦🇷 Argentina /Conflict & Security

Motorcyclist Performing Wheelie Kills Soldier in Argentina

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • An 18-year-old motorcyclist performing a "wheelie" struck and killed a 26-year-old Argentine Army soldier in Posadas.
  • The soldier, Rodrigo Adán Barrientos, died at the scene from his injuries after being hit while crossing the street.
  • The motorcyclist fled the scene but was later arrested after investigators tracked him through a social media sale listing.

A reckless act of a young motorcyclist performing a "wheelie" tragically ended the life of an Argentine Army soldier in Posadas early Sunday morning. Rodrigo Adán Barrientos, 26, was crossing a busy avenue when he was struck by a motorcycle whose 18-year-old rider lost control during the dangerous maneuver.

The motorcyclist did not stop holding his head, stunned.

— La NacionDescribing the motorcyclist's reaction immediately after the crash.

The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Costanera Avenue. Barrientos, who served with the 12th Mountain Hunter Company of the Argentine Army, was with a colleague when the motorcycle hit him. Security cameras captured the sequence of events, showing the soldier falling onto the median strip and succumbing to his severe injuries at the scene.

A few seconds later, the young man decided to abandon the Gilera Smash 110 cc and escape on foot.

— La NacionDetailing the motorcyclist's immediate flight from the scene.

Following the collision, the motorcyclist, identified as Juan Gabriel D. N., abandoned his Gilera Smash 110 cc and fled on foot. However, his escape was short-lived. Investigators, alerted by a Facebook Marketplace listing for a motorcycle matching the description of the one involved, were able to identify and locate the suspect.

The Prosecutor's Office ordered various forensic examinations, including an autopsy on the victim's body, while the Misiones Police requested security camera footage from the area.

— La NacionOutlining the initial investigative steps taken by authorities.

He was apprehended later that Sunday at his home in the Madariaga neighborhood. Authorities seized clothing potentially worn during the incident and administered an alcohol test. The suspect is now in custody and faces charges related to the fatal collision, with the prosecutor's office ordering further forensic examinations, including an autopsy of the victim's body.

From a publication on Facebook Marketplace, where a motorcycle with characteristics similar to the one involved in the incident was offered for sale, they managed to identify the suspect.

— La NacionExplaining how the suspect was identified.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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