Both drivers are responsible for accident with 23 deaths in the region, points out Civil Police
The Civil Police of the Paraná has concluded the investigation into the accident with 23 dead on BR-373, between Imbituva and Ipiranga, in the Campos Gerais. According to the information released on Wednesday, the investigation pointed to speeding of the two vehicles, maintenance problems in the truck and possible distraction of the trucker with the cell phone.
The collision occurred in the early hours of August 19, at kilometer 209 of the highway. The minibus of the Municipal Health Secretariat of Imbituva was transporting patients for care in Curitiba and the metropolitan region when it was hit in front by the truck, which invaded the opposite lane. Delegate Ingrid Priotto, in charge of the investigation, said the evidence indicated a combination of factors involving the two vehicles.
Truck was above limit and had wear on the brakes
According to the investigation, telemetry data showed that the truck was traveling at 80 km/h moments before the collision. The maximum speed allowed on that stretch was 60 km/h. Expertise also identified maintenance and brake wear problems, which reduced braking efficiency.
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Another element analyzed was the history of the truck driver's cell phone. According to the Civil Police, he accessed WhatsApp approximately 17 minutes before the crash. The investigation considers plausible that the driver was distracted with the device when invading the counterhand. The above-mentioned record, however, does not alone prove the use of the telephone at the time of the collision.
Minibus was at 101 km/h on impact
The digital chronotachograph report pointed out that the minibus was at 101 km/h at the time of the impact, speed 41 km/h above the highway limit. In the assessment of the delegate, the speeding of the collective contributed decisively to the severity of the tragedy.
One of the surviving passengers reported that the vehicle left Imbituva about 20 minutes late and that the driver was driving in a hurry. According to the investigation, the testimony reinforced the technical data obtained in the forensics.
Five people survived
The minibus was carrying 27 people. Of these, 22 died, including the driver. The trucker, who was from Castro, also died, bringing the total to 23 fatalities. The five survivors were a 6-year-old boy, a 26-year-old woman and three men, 22, 49 and 50 years old. All were injured, received medical attention and were discharged.
According to the delegate, since the two drivers named as responsible died in the accident, there will be no criminal liability for them. The evidence gathered in the investigation, however, may be used by the victims and their families in any civil actions, including claims for reparation and compensation.
