Wheelchair athlete is hit by drunk driver during street race in Manaus; VIDEO
A wheelchair athlete was hit by a drunk driver during a street race in Manaus, Brazil, on International Women's Day.
During a street race in Manaus celebrating International Women's Day, a wheelchair athlete was struck by a vehicle driven by a drunk driver. The incident happened at the intersection of Avenida João Valério and Avenida Maceió in the Adrianópolis neighborhood, where the vehicle encroached upon the race's path. A video circulating on social media captured a traffic agent directing the red car to stop, but the driver failed to comply and hit the athlete.
Emergency responders were present at the scene and provided medical assistance to the injured athlete, who was later transported to the 28 de Agosto Hospital and Emergency Care. However, no update regarding her health status has been made available. The driver of the car was apprehended on the spot and subsequently tested for alcohol levels, revealing a reading of 0.54 milligrams of alcohol per liter of breath, exceeding the legal limit for drivers in Brazil.
This incident has drawn public attention and raises critical concerns regarding road safety, especially for vulnerable groups participating in public events. It underscores the ongoing issue of drunk driving and its devastating consequences, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws to protect athletes and pedestrians during such events, particularly those that celebrate significant days like International Women's Day.