Fatal Hit-and-Run of a Young Man in Dolega. Musician Remains in Custody Under Investigation.

Amer Carlo Khadaj Khadaj was struck by a Honda Pilot on the night of September 20, 2026, near the Jardín Turicentro 3 Estrellas in Dolega. A 31-year-old musician named Rubén Robino Miranda later turned himself in to authorities 4 days later and was placed in provisional detention by the Tribunal de Garantías in Chiriquí. A judge ordered the provisional detention of the 30-year-old musician, investigated for the hit-and-run that caused the death of Amer Khadaj, a 17-year-old minor, on the road to Boquete, near the entrance to the town of Dolega, Chiriquí province.  During the hearing held this Saturday, September 26, the judge declared the arrest of the citizen and the judicial proceedings related to the event that occurred last Sunday, September 20, at approximately 9:41 pm, to be legal.  The accused was charged with the alleged commission of the crime of aggravated manslaughter.

The Musician Surrendered 4 Days After the Accident. 

The tragic accident occurred when the victim, accompanied by a friend, was crossing a four-lane road after going to buy bread.  At that moment, both were hit by an SUV allegedly driven by the now investigated man who works as a drummer in the group Aventurero.  “Grupo Aventurero” issued an official statement clarifying that the defendant was the only member in the vehicle at the time of the fatal hit-and-run of Amer Khadaj.

Once we were aware of the situation, we informed our colleague that he should appear before the appropriate authorities and face the consequences according to the law.” says the Adventure Group. 

According to what they explained, while the group was gathered at a pre-established point to travel to a professional commitment, the drummer contacted them arguing that his vehicle was stranded at another point, requesting their help.  The band admitted the existence of audiovisual material circulating on social media, in which other members of the group can be seen moving the van, but they firmly clarified that these images correspond to a time after the incident.  “At that time we were completely unaware of the circumstances in which the event had occurred and we had no knowledge that there was an affected person,” the statement reads. 

They also stated that, upon learning of the true gravity of the situation, they told their colleague that he should turn himself in to the authorities to face the facts in accordance with the law.  According to preliminary reports, the driver fled the scene of the accident without providing assistance to the victims. The 17-year-old later died in a hospital due to the severity of his injuries.  After remaining a fugitive for several days, the suspect formally surrendered last Thursday at 6:00 pm at the headquarters of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) in the city of David. 

The Victim’s Father Demands Exemplary Justice.

Hossam Khadaj, the father of the deceased minor, attended the court proceedings visibly affected and demanded the utmost firmness in the investigations.  In his statements to the media, he strongly criticized the driver’s behavior after the impact.  “That man didn’t touch the brake, didn’t try to move from the street, didn’t stop, and had no feeling about this,” the father said.  He also clarified that the family’s legal action is not an act of revenge “against anyone,” but rather a search for an exemplary judicial decision that will prevent these types of road tragedies from going unpunished in the province.

The Investigation Continues.

The court order means the accused will remain in custody during the investigation, which aims to clarify the exact circumstances of the hit-and-run. Authorities have six months to investigate. As this is a precautionary measure, the accused retains the presumption of innocence until a final judgment is issued.  In the coming months, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will have to compare the testimonies of the family members with the expert evidence collected.  Among the pending procedures are the analysis of possible security camera recordings, statements from eyewitnesses, mechanical inspections of the vehicle and official accident reports to determine if the car was traveling at a speed higher than the permitted one.

Family, friends, classmates, and loved ones said their final goodbyes to Amer Carlo Khadaj Khadaj, who died from severe injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident on the night of Sunday, September 20, in the district of Dolega. The teenager’s remains were laid to rest in an Arab cemetery in Bagalá, where dozens of people accompanied his family in a moment marked by grief, solidarity, and expressions of affection for the young man.  While his family copes with this loss, the investigation continues. A beige Honda Pilot SUV was located at a residence on Seventh Street in Doleguita, David, and remains under analysis for its connection to the accident.   Specialized personnel conducted inspections to gather evidence that will allow them to scientifically determine if the vehicle was involved. Authorities must also establish who was driving at the time of the incident and any corresponding responsibilities.  Newsroom Panama expresses its deepest condolences and respect to Amer’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.