A major twist in the Mijas hit-and-run case has been released as a detained man is freed

The man detained in connection with the death of 17 year old Norwegian tourist Nikoline Piwoni Høie on the A7 near Mijas has been released after appearing before a court in Fuengirola. The court confirmed he was not under investigation at the moment for any crime, and the Guardia Civil is continuing its search for the driver of the car that caused the fatal accident.

Guardia Civil continues to examine evidence

The fatal collision happened on the A7 near Mijas during the early hours of Sunday, July 6, claiming the life of 17 year old Norwegian tourist Nikoline Piwoni Høie. The investigators spent the last week trying to identify the vehicle and driver involved.

An unidentified man was detained by police on Monday 13th of July after they found a damaged van which investigators believed might be related to the case. After his appearance in Fuengirola before a Fuengirola court, he was freed without any precautionary measures. The court confirmed he was not under investigation at the moment for any crime, but that the Guardia Civil’s investigation is still open.

Officers examine the van, as well other forensic evidence to try and determine what exactly happened.

Initial statement from a suspect: Denial of any involvement or alibi under investigation

During his interrogation, he denied involvement in the accident and provided investigators a different account of his movements. Investigators are also examining an alibi that he provided.

The Guardia Civil confirms that the investigation is not closed and officers are continuing to search for the vehicle in question as well as the driver.

Tracking an adolescent’s last journey

The mobile phone of Nikoline was also found in the vicinity, which allowed officials to track her movements. According to investigators, Nikoline had left the Puerto Banús entertainment district in Marbella in a ride-sharing vehicle, where she had been partying with friends, apparently sharing the car with two other young people. She asked her driver to take her to Mijas near a residential neighborhood where her hotel is located. She was told by a friend that Nikoline had been last seen between 3.00am and 4.00am in a nightclub at Puerto Banus. Nikoline wasn’t there when the friend returned from using the bathroom.

She has been on vacation in Costa del Sol, Spain since June 19.

According to the family of the young woman, “Nikoline got off the Uber that she shared with two other people right next to a stop and in front the housing development, where she had been spending a few vacation days with her father and stepsister.” She was planning to return to Norway the day after she disappeared for a birthday celebration.

Reminder about safety after tragic death on A7

The investigation is ongoing, but the tragic incident should serve as a warning to people who travel on main roads or in busy areas of the Costa del Sol. This stretch of A-7 is known to be particularly dangerous. In April and May this year, there were also deaths in this area.

It is important that you keep in mind a few points when driving on major roads and in particular the A-7 near Mijas.

• To ensure your safety, never cross the A-7 by foot. Instead, use pedestrian footbridges and overpasses.
• If you are using an app such as Uber or Cabify to share a ride, make sure that you have set up a destination and finished the ride before exiting.
• It is best to avoid asking the driver to let off on a major road. It is against the law for ride-share drivers drop passengers off along motorways.
• Make sure your phone is charged and that a family member or close friend knows where you are. If possible, keep in touch with loved ones.
• Avoid travelling alone late at night if possible.
• The emergency number in Spain is 112.