A SUSPECT in the alleged hit-and-run death of a Norwegian teenager on the Costa del Sol tried to clean his van with bleach just hours after the crash, a witness has claimed.
Nikoline Piwoni Hoie, 17, was fatally struck while attempting to cross the A-7 motorway in Mijas, near Marbella, at around 5.20am on July 6.
A man suspected of hitting the young tourist before fleeing the scene, named only as Jose Miguel GC, was seen by a neighbour scrubbing his white Ford van at around 8am that morning, according to investigative outlet El Español.
The 46-year-old Calahonda resident was later arrested by the Guardia Civil after officers recovered fragments of broken glass at the crash scene that matched the windscreen of his vehicle.
Jose Miguel, who El Español reports has previous convictions, denied any involvement during police questioning. However, investigators said he contradicted himself on more than one occasion.
READ MORE: Norwegian teen Nikoline left Uber with two men before fatal Mijas hit-and-run, investigators reveal
A father of a large family and former bricklayer, Jose Miguel now faces a charge of leaving the scene of an accident – an offence punishable by between six months and four years in prison.
Whether further charges are brought will depend on toxicology results and the findings of an ongoing reconstruction of the collision.
Investigators are trying to establish whether Jose Miguel was exceeding the speed limit, if he could reasonably have avoided the collision, and whether Nikoline had consumed drugs or alcohol before the incident.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief in both Spain and Norway, as investigators continue to piece together the teenager’s final hours.
Nikoline had spent the evening celebrating Norway’s victory over Brazil with friends and fellow Norwegian holidaymakers at Puerto Banus’ Funky Buddha Bar.
According to reports, she had been due to fly home the following day for a friend’s birthday.
She sent her mother a text message at around 1.30am, before her friends reportedly lost sight of her roughly two and a half hours later.
According to El Español, Nikoline left the bar with two unidentified men and shared an Uber ride booked through her account.
Investigators believe she asked the driver to drop her off near the Riviera del Sol exit of the A-7 around 20 minutes into the journey.
From there, officers suspect she walked back towards the motorway, apparently attempting to reach a taxi rank on the opposite side of the carriageway.
Rather than using a nearby pedestrian underpass, investigators believe she tried to cross the motorway on foot before being struck by the van at around 5.20am.
A passing lorry driver reportedly witnessed the collision, stopped to assist and remained with Nikoline until emergency services arrived.
Police are continuing efforts to identify and trace the two men who accompanied her earlier that night.
An Uber spokesperson said the company would cooperate fully with the investigation.
According to reports, CCTV footage suggests the suspect left the motorway immediately after the collision, deviated from his usual route home and spent time driving around before eventually returning to Calahonda.
Forensic officers are examining Jose Miguel’s van for blood, hair, clothing fibres and other evidence that could link the vehicle to the fatal collision.
The suspect has appeared before a judge as the investigation continues.
Detectives are also trying to establish whether Nikoline left the Uber voluntarily or whether other factors influenced her actions in the moments leading up to the tragedy.
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