Drunk driver strikes multiple pedestrians in Portugals Albufeira nightlife district after fleeing police

A 35-year-old man with dual Portuguese and Angolan nationality was detained after his car struck 16 people in Albufeira’s Oura nightlife district early Tuesday, authorities said. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro, a street restricted to residents between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. during summer nights.

The driver, who was under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of 1.29 g/l, ignored three separate orders from GNR officers to stop, according to police. He first attempted to bypass a checkpoint on Rua Júlio Diniz, then reversed direction after realizing he was driving the wrong way on the avenue. As he fled, the vehicle struck multiple pedestrians, including two police officers, and continued for several meters with at least two victims on the hood before crashing into another car. Two of the 16 injured remain in serious condition, per the latest official update .

GNR officers pursued the driver on foot after he abandoned the rented black Skoda and attempted to flee. He was apprehended by the force’s order maintenance unit. Authorities confirmed the man, a U.K. resident on holiday in Albufeira, will face charges including aggravated bodily harm, drunk driving, and dangerous driving. A blood test was also conducted to screen for psychotropic substances. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for coercive measures to be determined .

Maja Lewecka, an 18-year-old Irish tourist, told journalists she was caught off guard by the vehicle and dragged several meters on its hood. “I didn’t even realize the car was approaching; when I saw it, it was already on top of us. It all happened so fast,” she said. Lewecka, treated for multiple scrapes and visible injuries at Portimão Hospital, described the incident as “terrifying” but acknowledged she was “well taken care of” afterward. This was her first visit to Portugal, and she admitted she would leave with “bad memories,” though she recognized the outcome “could have been worse” .

The area, known locally as the “Rua dos Bares,” is a hub for nightlife, drawing thousands of tourists nightly in summer. Local business owners, speaking anonymously to Lusa news agency, cited excessive alcohol consumption and alleged drug sales as recurring issues contributing to public disorder. One merchant called for increased police patrols and raids on nightlife venues, stating, “The police would find a lot there” .

GNR confirmed the driver’s arrest and the ongoing investigation. The street remains a pedestrian-only zone during restricted hours, with access limited to residents.