The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo), stated this Tuesday (21) that the driver of the trailer that was involved in the accident that left 39 people dead in Teófilo Otoni tested positive for narcotic substances. The tragedy occurred on December 21st.
According to Zema, the investigation showed that the driver was under the influence of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy. THE CNN found that the man had also ingested several substances to stay awake, such as alprazolam.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident that killed 39 people at the end of the 24th, on BR-116, was arrested today, in ES, for @pcmgoficial. Using high technology, the investigation showed that the driver was under the influence of illicit substances. In Minas, there is no impunity!
— Romeu Zema (@RomeuZema) January 21, 2025
Drug use was confirmed after analyzing the driver’s urine, which was collected on December 23rd.
The driver of the truck was arrested this Tuesday in Espírito Santo. The arrest was carried out by the Civil Police of Minas Gerais following a decree by judge Danilo de Mello Ferraz, from the 1st Criminal Court of the District of Teófilo Otoni.
According to the magistrate, some elements were discovered during the investigations:
- Absence of the driver at the scene of the accident;
- Overweight of the trailer load;
- Lack of verification of the cargo transportation conditions by the driver;
- Excessive vehicle speed;
- Exhausting travel journey;
- Lack of adequate rest;
- Use of narcotics;
- Excessive speed of the truck, which was traveling at 90 km/h – when the speed limit for the road was 80 km/h.
How was the tragedy
The accident occurred in the early hours of December 21, 2024.
The probable cause was a block of granite that came loose from the truck and hit a bus traveling in the opposite direction. The bus, which was carrying 45 passengers, lost control and collided with the trailer.
A Fiat Argo that was behind the bus later collided with the truck. The passengers in the passenger vehicle were rescued alive.
This content was originally published in Driver used drugs before accident with 39 deaths in MG, says police on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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