On the morning of February 18, a tragic accident occurred on the BR-101 highway in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuring one. The collision involved a truck, a large cargo vehicle, and a Kombi minibus, which was reported to be completely destroyed. Emergency response teams quickly arrived on the scene, and the sole survivor was airlifted to Hospital Pequeno Anjo for medical attention.

The accident took place at around 8:30 AM near kilometer 114 heading south. Following the collision, the highway was blocked in both directions by the authorities, leading to significant traffic delays. Drivers faced a congestion buildup of approximately 12 kilometers as alternative routes through the marginal roads were implemented to alleviate traffic flow. By around 10:00 AM, one lane of the highway was reopened to help ease the situation, though the investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident was still ongoing.

Police and emergency services continued to assess the situation, with details about the accident's dynamics and the identities of the victims remaining sparse. Local authorities emphasized the need for safety measures and raised concerns over road conditions, indicating that thorough investigations would follow to prevent future incidents. As the story develops, further updates from the Federal Highway Police (PRF) are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.