Relative of the victims of the triple fatal accident in Suesa declares that “killing is cheap” after the conviction

One of the relatives of the victims of the triple fatal accident in Suesa, which occurred in April 2023 in this Cantabrian town and was tried this Monday in the Provincial Court, has considered after the hearing – in which the parties have agreed five years and nine months of prison to the accused – that “killing is cheap” and believes that The driver involved “should not be released” from jail.

This is how Jessica Rey, Erika’s sister and Ethan’s aunt, mother and son who died in the accident, expressed it in statements to journalists outside the Las Salesas Courthouse, before whom He has mourned the loss of his only sister – who was 42 years old and was “my life partner”, as he expressed – and his nephew, who was 19 and had “his whole life ahead of him.” They both leave another son and little brother.

“It’s hard,” has admitted, excitedly, to the media, to whom she has indicated that she can “come to understand” that someone has an accident at a given moment and for any reason, but not when, as happened in this case, a person decides to take a car “knowing that you are drunk and that they have tried to stop you”, to which was also added the intake and influence of medication and the fact that it is someone older, who “does not have the same control.” “It’s a ticking bomb,” Jessica summarized.

THE LAW FALLS VERY SHORT

The lawyer for this family, David Fernández, has acknowledged that it has been “quite difficult” for them to accept the agreement, but they have done so because of the limitations imposed by the law on this type of crime, which are “very difficult to overcome.” Thus, they end up with “low” sentences despite the fact that they are “very serious” acts, and which in this case means “less than two years in prison” for each victim.

“We believe that the law falls very short”this lawyer has indicated, who initially requested nine years in prison, three more than the prosecutor, and whose modified document – interesting five years and nine months – has been adhered to, taking into account previous sentences in similar cases and the interpretation of the norm. in the face of multiple deaths.

“It was going to be impossible to exceed six years” of imprisonment, Fernández acknowledged, while also pointing out “this type of punishment represents a somewhat lax message for society.” For the rest, he has assessed the prohibition imposed on the defendant from driving again or from approaching the campsite for seven years, where his clients continue to go.

Rosa Trinidad, president of the Stop Road Violence association, has expressed herself in similar terms, for whom the years of prison imposed are “not enough.” “It is very little” time, he pointed out, although in this event “it is a lot” if compared to the penalties with which these types of crimes are “normally” settled.

How little a person’s life is worth when they die on the road. I think it is very unfair

“How little a person’s life is worth when they die on the road. I think it is very unfair,” lamented the spokesperson for this group, which demands a reform of the Penal Code. “It is very cruel” and “it cannot continue to be so cheap to kill on the road. The penalties must be toughened,” he insisted.

PERMITS IN A FEW MONTHS

Finally, the defense lawyer, Carmen Sánchez Morán, has expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached and that in her opinion it strictly adheres to the application of the law in matters of this nature, with deaths caused by recklessness or negligence.

Thus, in the case of his client, “the last thing that crossed his mind is causing harm to anyone”, and according to the law, the agreed sentence is “appropriate”, and not the nine years requested by the private prosecution, which was something “inappropriate in a matter of this nature.”

For the rest, this criminal lawyer has indicated that she will try to ensure that her client has all the prison benefits, since he is close to serving a quarter of his sentence – he has been in provisional prison since August 2023 – and could have permits “shortly.” , in a few months.”