Paphos police believe fatal hit and run was deliberate (Updated)

Police have arrested a man involved in a fatal accident in Paphos early Saturday morning in what is believed to be is a case of premeditated murder.

Police said the incident took place at around 2am on Tombs of the Kings avenue, where a motorcycle driven by a 58-year-old man collided with a car, with the driver of the car subsequently fleeing the scene.

An ambulance was called, transporting the man to Paphos general hospital, where the doctors confirmed his death.

Paphos police spokesperson Michalis Nicolaou said that a witness statement pointed to a 45-year-old man driving the car who was soon found at his home.

Subsequently, the 45-year-old, a permanent resident of Cyprus, was arrested.

He was also found to be in possession of burglary tools, and his car was kept as evidence.

Nicolaou explained that during investigations, it became clear that the suspect and the victim were previously together at a bar and were allegedly involved in a verbal confrontation.

“Afterwards, the suspect allegedly waited for the victim outside out of the bar and when the 58-year-old left on his moped, followed him and – always according to the testimonies – deliberately collided with the moped, as a result of which the 58-year-old was killed instantly,” Nicolaou said.

“An arrest warrant for premeditated murder was obtained against the 45-year-old, on the basis of which he was arrested.”

Nicolaou said that before the incident, the 58-year-old and 45-year-old men only had a verbal confrontation at the bar and not a physical one, according to witness statements.

“It seems, however, that the two men had a confrontation in the past as well,” he said.

After his arrest, the 45-year-old was taken into police custody where he was interrogated, while he also underwent a drug test with a positive result.