The Cachapoal Carabineros Prefecture has confirmed the expulsion of an officer following a serious traffic accident that occurred early Friday morning in Rancagua. The officer was driving under the influence of alcohol when they collided with another vehicle, causing the driver of the impacted car to sustain serious injuries.
The incident took place around 5:00 a.m. in the Lastarria Street area. Following the collision, the now-former officer fled the scene without providing aid to the victim, according to reports from La Tercera.
Investigation and institutional actions
The institution immediately activated internal and judicial protocols. The Cachapoandal Prefecture reported that all case details have been handed over to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the corresponding investigation.
In parallel, the institution has ordered an administrative inquiry to determine internal responsibilities. According to an official statement from the Prefecture, the officer's actions "represent an individual conduct that deeply contravenes the values, principles, and doctrine" of the institution, as reported by Cooperativa.
In the same statement, police authorities reaffirmed their stance regarding the incident: “We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy toward any act that violates the law, endangers the integrity of individuals, or weakens public trust,” stated the Cachapoal Prefecture.
Report of theft and recent incidents
Following the hit-and-run, the former officer reportedly filed a report regarding the theft of his own vehicle, a detail noted by the local outlet Noticias a la Hora Requínoa. Meanwhile, the victim of the crash was rushed to the Fusat Clinic for emergency medical treatment.
This event comes just one week after a similar incident in Santiago. In that case, media reports indicated that seven officers were involved in a crash and fled the scene without assisting a young Colombian woman traveling in a rideshare vehicle, who died after being ejected from the car, according to La Tercera.
