Video surveillance cameras of the sector captured the moments before the accident that occurred on Thursday afternoon at kilometer 53.8 of the Inter-American route, in the departmental capital of Chimaltenango.
In the images you can see Leonel Sas Valle47, while waiting to cross the road with his bicycle, when he was hit by a PNC patrol car. After the collision, another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction also hit him. The cyclist suffered serious injuries and later died due to the severity of his injuries.
The National Civil Police reported that the driver of the patrol car, an agent assigned to the 73rd Police Station, was detained and placed at the disposal of the judge on duty while investigations continue to determine responsibilities. Until now, the institution has not revealed the identity of the agent involved.
The case became relevant after several videos of the accident circulated on social networks and showed different angles of the moment the accident occurred. The recordings are part of the elements that the authorities analyze to establish how the events developed.
Cyclist died after suffering multiple injuries
According to official information, Leonel Sas Valle was initially transferred to the Chimaltenango Regional Hospital with polytraumapelvic fracture and other serious injuries.
He was later referred to the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) 7-19, in the capital, where he died upon admission due to the severity of his injuries.
The images released show that, after the impact of the patrol car, the cyclist fell on the asphalt and seconds later was run over by another vehicle that failed to stop.
Accident on the Inter-American Highway: Patrol hits a cyclist.
Video: social networks pic.twitter.com/zlTBa2lNNe
— Jessica Gonzalez (@Jessica09222863) June 5, 2026
Captured agent faces judicial process
The PNC spokesperson, Jorge Aguilar, confirmed that the agent who was driving the police unit was arrested and was placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities. As explained, the investigations include the analysis of video surveillance cameras and other evidence collected at the scene of the accident.
“There is an investigation and video surveillance cameras that reflect how the incident occurred in the sector of the department of Chimaltenango. The police officer who was driving the patrol car has been placed at the disposal of the judge on duty, where he must resolve his legal situation in relation to this unfortunate traffic incident,” said Aguilar.
The patrol car involved was placed under guard and was placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry, which carried out the corresponding proceedings.
PNC: attending an emergency does not exempt from responsibility
The deputy director of the PNC, Héctor Noé González Prera, explained that the police unit was on its way to answer a call for help when the accident occurred.
The official pointed out that the institution’s obligation is to respond to citizen emergencies; However, he emphasized that this circumstance does not exclude the individual responsibility of the driver.
Likewise, he indicated that it will be the competent jurisdictional body that determines whether there is any criminal or administrative responsibility derived from what happened. The institution also reiterated that police officers are subject to the same legal regulations as any Guatemalan citizen.
Cycling Federation mourns death
The National Cycling Sports Federation of Guatemala expressed his condolences for the death of Leonel Sas Valle and expressed his concern about the traffic incidents that have affected cyclists in recent months.
In an official statement, the entity noted that the athlete’s death reminds us of the vulnerability of those who use bicycles on the country’s roads and reiterated the call to respect the minimum distance of 1.5 meters when passing a cyclist.
The federation also urged road users to drive responsibly, prudently and respectfully to reduce the risk of accidents.
Research continues
The Public Ministry and the National Civil Police continue to collect evidence to clarify the circumstances of the accident that occurred on the Inter-American route.
Meanwhile, the agent captured remains at the disposal of a judge, who must resolve his legal situation as the investigations progress. The authorities have also not reported if there is any action underway to fully identify the driver of the second vehicle involved in the incident.
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