Brazil Sees Spate of Fatal Road Crashes as Illegal Bus Fire and Hit-and-Runs Draw Scrutiny

Overview

• In Mato Grosso do Sul, a truck and Fiat Strada collided on MS-240, killing three at the scene and closing the highway for hours, according to state road police.
• On BR-101 in Aurelino Leal, Bahia, a car hit an armored cash vehicle head-on at the Curva do Padre, leaving three dead and triggering a partial interdiction confirmed by the PRF.
• ANTT said the coach that burned on the Fernão Dias (BR-381) near Igarapé was operating clandestinely; its drivers fled, 47 passengers were evacuated, and traffic reopened early afternoon.
• A crash on the PB/PE border left one person dead and another with traumatic brain injury airlifted by a PRF helicopter to Recife as SAMU and firefighters conducted rescues.
• Other confirmed cases include a fatal rear-end into a carreta on BR-153 in Tocantins, multiple motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities, and active hit-and-run investigations led by civil and highway police.