A man has been arrested over the death of Norwegian teenager Nikoline Piwoni Hoie.

According to respected Spanish newspaper El Español, the Guardia Civil has arrested the driver of a van suspected of mowing down the 17-year-old in the early hours of Monday, July 6.

It comes just over a week after the body of the youngster was discovered on the A-7 motorway near Mijas, following a night out with friends at the Funky Buddha nightlcub in Puerto Banus.

The arrest was made on Monday following an intensive investigation by the Guardia Civil’s Trafico unit.

Police are said to have identified the vehicle after reviewing security camera footage along the A-7 between Riviera del Sol and Fuengirola.

Officers traced a van showing damage said to be consistent with a collision, including a broken windscreen and dents to the bodywork.

Nikoline vanished during celebrations following Norway’s victory over Brazil in the 2026 World Cup last Sunday night.

The teenager was last seen at around 4am after leaving the Funky Buddha nightclub with two young men in an Uber.

According to investigators, she asked the driver to let her out near the Riviera del Sol exit on the A-7, around 20 minutes into the journey.

Police believe she then made her way back towards the motorway, where they suspect she was attempting to reach a taxi rank on the opposite side of the road.

Instead of using the pedestrian underpass, investigators believe she tried to cross the carriageway before being struck by the van at around 5.20am.

A passing lorry driver reportedly witnessed the collision, stopped to help and remained at the scene until emergency services arrived.

Authorities are still working to establish exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the tragedy.

According to reports, the driver’s potential criminal liability will depend on the findings of the Guardia Civil’s accident reconstruction team.

If investigators conclude he was driving within the speed limit and could not reasonably have avoided the collision, prosecutors may decide not to pursue a charge of causing death by dangerous or negligent driving.

The investigation is expected to focus on whether he committed offences relating to leaving the scene of a fatal collision and failing to assist the victim.

Experts are examining the van for impact evidence, while investigators are also analysing tyre marks, vehicle speed and forensic evidence gathered from the scene.

Meanwhile, the Guardia Civil continues to investigate why Nikoline left the Uber before reaching her destination.

Blood tests are expected to determine whether alcohol or drugs may have played a role in her actions, while officers are also trying to identify and interview the two young men who travelled with her in the Uber.

Uber has confirmed it is cooperating with the investigation and says it is helping authorities identify those involved in the journey.

The case, which began as a missing person investigation before Nikoline’s body was discovered on the motorway, has attracted widespread attention in both Spain and Norway.

The arrested driver is expected to appear before a judge in the coming hours as the investigation continues.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.