GNR traffic officer killed by suspected drunk driver on motorway near Alcobaça

A 29-year-old GNR traffic officer died late last night after being struck by a car while directing traffic following a lorry fire on the IC2 near Alcobaça.

His tragic death has prompted tributes from the government and renewed calls for drivers to respect emergency responders.

The fatal incident occurred at around 11.20pm at kilometre 88 of the IC2, near Redondas in the parish of Turquel.

The officer, who served with the GNR Traffic Unit in Leiria and was originally from Fafe, was directing traffic after a lorry fire had already been extinguished when he was hit by a passing vehicle.

According to media reports, the driver initially failed to stop, but later (we are not told how much later) returned to the scene and presented himself to the authorities. He was arrested after recording a blood alcohol level above 1.2 grams per litre, the threshold at which drink-driving becomes a criminal offence in Portugal.

The IC2 was closed in both directions following the incident while emergency services responded.

In a statement on Saturday, Portugal’s Ministry of Internal Administration expressed its condolences to the officer’s family, friends and colleagues, saying he had “lost his life while carrying out his duty”.

“No life should be lost through indifference, negligence or irresponsibility,” said the ministry, adding that all road users have a duty to obey police officers’ instructions and avoid behaviour that places lives at risk.

The ministry also offered its “deepest solidarity and heartfelt condolences” to the officer’s family, the GNR and, in particular, members of the Leiria Traffic Detachment.

The GNR’s Leiria Command has also paid tribute to the officer, which it named as Jorge Monteiro, on social media this morning.

According to Portugal’s Civil Protection Authority, 20 emergency personnel supported by 10 vehicles attended the scene, including firefighters, GNR officers, a rapid medical emergency vehicle (VMER) from Caldas da Rainha and the Portuguese Red Cross.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

source material: LUSA/ Facebook

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.