The tragic deaths of Angel Nieto and Nicky Hayden on public roads, the first on a quad and the second on a bicycle, are still being examined by Spanish and Italian police officers and judges. For the moment, nothing has yet been definitively decided in either case.
It was in Ibiza that Angel Nieto died on August 3 due to cerebral edema following an accident on his quad. He was hit from behind by a car, then thrown from his quad, hitting his head on the road.
As reported by AS, Investigating Judge No. 2 of Ibiza has closed the case of the death of Angel Nieto. The driver of the car was acquitted because she did not commit any crime, ruled the Balearic Superior Court of Justice. The judge found that she had only made a slight mistake. It is recalled that in the Civil Guard report, it was specified that the former pilot did not have a helmet attached. A fact which was then decisive for his death. The court therefore rejected the thesis of the Nieto family, which accused the woman of the death of her loved one.
Members of the Nieto family pointed out that the tourist had not noticed that Angel's quad had slowed down considerably. A distraction then fatal, with the tragic consequences that occurred. However, the judge took into account that there was no reckless driving and there was no criminal relevance.
The forensic doctor's autopsy established that the traumatic brain injury had been the cause of death and the failure to attach the helmet was decisive. So, the judge found Angel Nieto responsible, and acquitted the driver. The family of the ex-pilot can appeal.
In Italy, deputy prosecutor Paolo Gengarelli requested the indictment of the driver (aged 30) of the Peugeot who hit Nicky Hayden on May 17 near the Misano racecourse.
According to investigators' reconstructions, the motorist was driving at a speed of around 70 km/h on via Tavoleto, where the maximum allowed is 50. The American driver, coming from a secondary road, did not stop at a “stop” sign, then being hit by the car.
In theory, according to Italian law, there should be 70% of the responsibility for Hayden, with the motorist having 30% of the responsibility. Furthermore, as reported on the RiminiToday website, the prosecutor's expert said that if the car had respected the speed limit, the accident would have been avoided. The date of the preliminary hearing remains to be determined, to determine whether Morciano's driver will face trial.
Sources: RiminiToday, ilrestodelcarlino.it, huffingtonpost.it, corrieredellosport.it, as.com, elmundo.es, elpais.com, lavanguardia.com, mundodeportivo.com
