A 64-year-old man was fatally thrown off an overpass by a “speeding” driver while trying to fix his car.
Horrifying CCTV footage shows João Volmar Muraro Siqueira plummeting to his death on Saturday (31 Jan).
He had been driving along a viaduct with his wife when the car’s bonnet suddenly flew open, blocking his view through the windscreen.
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João stopped immediately and got out to close it.
As he struggled with the bonnet, a pick-up truck travelling at high speed rear-ended the car.
The impact shoved the vehicle along the tarmac and sent João flying backwards.
He hit the crash barrier and plunged down the narrow gap in the middle of the dual carriageway, landing several feet below, where he remained motionless.
The tragedy occurred on the road between Santa Maria and Itaara, in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state.
The collision was so violent that both vehicles, especially the car, were heavily damaged.
João’s wife, who was in the car, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a medical facility.
João was pronounced dead at the scene.
Forensic investigators said his death was caused by his head striking the crash barrier.
He was buried on Sunday (1 Feb), as reported by Need To Know.
Police are treating the case as vehicular manslaughter.
João had switched on his hazard lights but had not placed a warning triangle on the road.
The 52-year-old pick-up driver was treated and released.
Both he and João’s wife are expected to be interviewed by police in the coming days.
Police chief Adriano de Rossi told local media: “If, during the investigation, we see that he couldn’t have foreseen the outcome and did not act recklessly or negligently, he may not be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
“But if it’s proven that he was inattentive, then his conduct would be considered reckless, and he could indeed be held responsible.”
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