Brazil’s Holiday Road Toll Rises With Fresh Fatal Crashes and Major Highway Disruptions

Overview

• On BR-040 near João Pinheiro (MG), a car-carrier invaded the opposite lane and hit a family car that caught fire, killing two adults and two children in what PRF says is the fourth recent fatal crash on that stretch.
• In Rolândia (PR), six members of one family, including 10‑month‑old twins, died in a head‑on collision; a truck passenger described waking at impact, and the driver remains hospitalized in serious condition as perícia examines the cause.
• In Açailândia (MA), PRF arrested a driver in flagrante after a breath test measured 1.62 mg/L; the motorist ran over a 69‑year‑old who was pushing a recycling cart on the BR‑010, and the victim died at the scene.
• In Minas Gerais, a driver was detained after a crash on the MG‑133 that killed a 71‑year‑old; police reported a positive alcohol test of 0.07 mg/L and a driver’s license expired since 2018, with two other elderly victims gravely injured.
• Heavy‑vehicle incidents and responses strained travel as a tanker and four cars crashed on the BR‑356 in Itabirito (five injured and full closure), a corn truck blocked the BR‑174 for hours, and car‑carriers overturned on BR‑101 in Cariacica and on ViaLagos, while in Jaguaré (ES) the pickup driver who fled a Dec. 24 fatal rear‑end crash presented to police and was released after giving a statement.