A tragic accident occurred early on Tuesday (17) on BR-020 in the Federal District, Brazil, when a van collided with a truck, resulting in five fatalities and eleven injuries. The victims were passengers from two families traveling in the van, which was making a trip from Santa Rita de Cássia in Bahia towards Brasília. The incident took place near Planaltina, close to the border with Goiás, where the van crashed into the back of the truck.

The driver of the van sustained serious injuries, including a fractured femur that required surgery, and was subsequently treated at the Regional Hospital of Planaltina. Family members revealed that he had been performing this route consistently for approximately two years, with the same group of passengers, suggesting a level of familiarity. However, he reported to officials that он had been driving for 13 consecutive hours at the time of the accident, highlighting concerns about fatigue which may have contributed to the incident.

The Civil Police of the Federal District has launched an investigation into the accident to gather more details, including the driver's account that he perceived the truck was moving at a higher speed as he approached. Given the circumstances, this tragic event raises critical questions regarding road safety, driver fatigue, and the regulations governing long-distance travel, particularly in light of the evolving traffic conditions in Brazil.