Cyclists' killer's release appeal

Woman is held responsible for the death of three Jávea men

A DRUNKEN and drugged driver who killed three cyclists on the N-332 south of Oliva a year ago has applied to the court to be released from custody.

Mavi Sánchez, 29, was nearly five times over the alcohol limit and had taken cocaine when she veered across the carriageway into the opposite lane and ploughed into six members of Jávea's Llebeig Athletics Club triathlon team on the hard shoulder.

Only their leader, Jaime Escornell, escaped unharmed – Luis Alberto Contreras, 53 and ex-mayor's son Edu Monfort, 28, were killed instantly.

José Antonio Albi, also 28, was rushed to hospital in cardiac arrest and died five days later, never having regained consciousness.

Luis Alberto's son Andrés and British expat Scott Gordon were in a critical condition for weeks after being placed in induced comas and, having broken almost every major bone in their bodies, have undergone numerous operations.

The crash was a year ago this coming Monday, and both are still in hospital treatment and regaining mobility.

Scott still walks on crutches after three operations on his left femur and two on his jaw, whilst Andrés still has a fractured shin-bone which has never mended and has problems moving his left knee.

Both are in physiotherapy and all three survivors are in counselling after witnessing the horrific deaths of their friends and, in Andrés' case, his father.

Scott and Andrés attend a forensic centre weekly to assess them for lasting damage, and Andrés has previously been called to a medical tribunal in Alicante.

Mavi, from Gandia, who worked at an ice-cream parlour in Ondara's El Portal de la Marina shopping centre and was returning from an all-night party when she caused the tragedy, was remanded in custody without bail and has been in jail ever since.

Her solicitor is applying for her to be released with charges pending trial on the basis that she is not a flight risk, is remorseful about her crime and has promised to report to Gandia court every week.

Also, the defence lawyer says her probation would not cause 'public alarm' and Mavi would not be a risk to society.

Even if she is released, her freedom could be short-lived since her trial for causing death by dangerous driving is expected to take place this autumn.