A tragic accident on the AM-010 highway left four people dead and 18 injured on Friday morning, December 20, 2023. The collision involved a passenger bus and a bi-truck, causing widespread devastation.
The incident occurred at around 11 am at kilometer 138 of the highway, which connects Manaus to municipalities such as Itacoatiara and Rio Preto da Eva. According to police reports, the bi-truck was traveling at speeds exceeding 100 km/h during adverse weather conditions, contributing to the severity of the collision.
Leandro Augusto Lopes, the 41-year-old driver of the truck, was arrested shortly after the accident. He claimed to authorities, "A colisão aconteceu durante uma forte chuva" (The collision happened during heavy rain). His statements suggested the bus had veered onto his lane, yet analysis of the truck’s tachograph indicated speeds above 110 km/h at the time of impact. The police determined the excessive speed as reckless behavior, leading to the decision to detain him.
Among those who tragically lost their lives was the bus driver, Jair Nascimento dos Santos, aged 45, who, according to family members, was recently hired and had extensive experience driving along this route. The other victims included ten-year-old Yasmin Viana Siqueira and two older men, Emilio Monteiro Araújo, 69, and Manoel Otávio Vaz de Almeida, 65, raising serious concerns about safety on this highway.
Emergency response teams, including 32 firefighters and 11 vehicles from the Corpo de Bombeiros Militar do Amazonas, arrived swiftly to manage the situation. The rescue efforts involved extracting individuals trapped within the wreckage, where images circulated on social media capturing the extent of destruction.
Following the accident, the state’s health department reported treating 18 injured individuals, with 13 people already released from care, but five remained hospitalized. The injured were transported to hospitals across Manaus, where they are receiving necessary medical attention.
Statements from the bus company, Transamazônica, indicated they are cooperating with authorities and have expressed condolences: "A equipe se une em oração por todos os envolvidos" (The team joins together in prayer for all involved).
The aftermath has sparked renewed discussions on road safety and the regulatory framework governing commercial transportation, especially under adverse weather conditions. The AM-010 highway, frequently used for travel between these municipalities, now stands as the site of recall for this harrowing incident.
Investigations are still underway as authorities gather more details about the events leading to the collision. Communities affected are coming together to mourn the loss and support the families of those involved. The police are expected to continue their inquiry, focusing on the conditions and actions leading up to this tragic event. The outcome could lead to potential changes aimed at preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.
Families await updates about the investigation and the future of those responsible, hoping for justice after such devastating loss. The tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cautious driving and adherence to traffic regulations, particularly on busy routes during unpredictable weather conditions.
