BUENOS AIRES.- Argentine soccer player Rodrigo Garro will be investigated for homicide involuntary after the crash that occurred on Saturday and that caused the death of a motorcyclist, although he will be able to leave the country while the case progresses, the prosecutor reported on Sunday in a hearing reported by the local press.
At the hearing, prosecutor Francisco Cuenca said that he will investigate Garro for “wrongful homicide due to driving a motor vehicle,” the InfoPico portal reported.
In Argentinathe figure of manslaughter refers to causing the death of someone without intention, due to recklessness or negligence and provides a penalty of 1 to 5 years in prison.
“He was disqualified from driving vehicles. A ban on leaving the country was not requested because we considered that there were no procedural dangers,” said the prosecutor.
The fatal crash occurred around 02:45 local time (05:45 GMT) on Saturday at an intersection in the soccer player’s hometown, General Pico, in the Argentine province of La Pampa (center), when he was at the wheel of a rented RAM truck.
A 30-year-old man identified as Nicolás Chiaraviglio, who was traveling on the motorcycle in the opposite direction, collided squarely with the right side of the vehicle when Garro turned left and crossed his lane.
“He died on the spot, practically instantly,” Cuenca then detailed to the portal En Boca de Todos HD.
The breathalyzer test on Garro determined that he had 0.54 grams per liter in his blood, he stated.
On Sunday, the prosecutor explained that he will not add the aggravating factor of alcohol to the charge “because the most aggravated qualification is when there is 1 gram per liter.”
The footballer was accompanied by fellow professional player Facundo Castelli, who plays for the Ecuadorian Emelec and with whom they formed a friendship when they both played for the Argentine Instituto de Córdoba.
Corinthians reaction
Corinthians announced in a statement on its website that the directors “contacted the athlete’s lawyers and family.”
“The club is following the investigations and will wait for its conclusion to speak about the case again. Corinthians offers solidarity to the victim and his family.”
