Five people from the same family died in an accident inHighway Hilário Spuri Jorge (SP-331), in Reginópolis, inside São Paulo, on the night of December 24, 2025. The car they were traveling in was hit from behind by a BMW, which caused the vehicle to catch fire after the fuel tank exploded. The victims were residents of Iacanga and were heading to Reginópolis, approximately 23 km away.
The identified victims were Luís Carlos of Souza Pinheiro, aged 36, Paula Daniela Martins, aged 45, their children Luís Otávio Pinheiro, aged 12, and Quatro died at the scene, while Luís Carlos was rescued, but succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the BMW suffered minor injuries.
The collision occurred around 9:55 pm at kilometer 111.4 of the highway, heading west. The Departamento of Estradas of Equipes of Polícia Militar Rodoviária, Corpo of Bombeiros and service units responded to the incident.
Occurrence details
Polícia Rodoviária Estadual investigates the causes of the accident. The BMW driver reported that the family car was stopped on the road with its lights off, a version that is undergoing expert analysis. Ele refused to take a breathalyzer test after receiving medical attention.
The impact threw some victims out of the vehicle, while the fire consumed part of the car. The bodies were sent to Instituto Médico Legal of Bauru for examination. The highway remained under monitoring to prevent further incidents.
Identification of victims
Luís Carlos was driving the family vehicle at the time of the crash. Paula Daniela was known in the region for selling cheese. Dulcinéia worked as a teacher in early childhood education in the municipal network of Iacanga and was recognized for her dedication to teaching.
The children Luís Otávio and Felipe completed the group traveling for a possible Christmas get-together. Familiares recognized the bodies at the IML, and the wake took place briefly on the afternoon of December 25th, followed by burial in the municipal cemetery of Iacanga.
Reactions in the community
Prefeitura of Iacanga issued an official note of condolence, highlighting the loss of a dedicated educator like Dulcinéia. Câmara Municipal declared three days of official mourning in the municipality of around 10 thousand inhabitants. Municípios neighbors, such as Reginópolis and Arealva, sent messages of solidarity.
- The tragedy interrupted family plans on the eve of Natal.
- Local residents expressed support for the bereaved families via social media.
- Authorities reinforced the importance of paying attention to traffic during festive periods.
Interdiction and flow on the highway
DER coordinated the gradual opening of the track after removing the vehicles. Não there were records of prolonged congestion. The highway concession monitored the stretch to ensure safety for drivers.
Tow truck and fire crews acted quickly to contain the fire and preserve the scene. The investigation continues with analysis of braking marks and statements.
Main infractions on highways
Data from Polícia Rodoviária Federal until November 2025 indicate the most common fines on federal roads:
- Speeding up to 20% above the limit: 5,316,259 fines of R$ 130.16 and 4 points on the driver’s license.
- Speeding from 20% to 50%: 855,251 fines of R$195.23 and 5 points.
- Unlicensed vehicle: 220,742 fines of R$293.47 and 7 points.
- Overtaking on the wrong side of the road in a continuous line: 177,597 fines of R$ 1,467.35 and 7 points.
- Disobeying traffic authority orders: 133,706 fines of R$195.23 and 5 points.
These numbers highlight recurring risks in Brazilian traffic.
Burial of victims
The wake lasted about an hour on the afternoon of December 25th. The burial took place in the early evening at Cemitério Municipal of Iacanga. Parentes and residents followed the ceremony in an atmosphere of consternation.
The family was known in the local community for professional and social ties. The loss directly affected education and commerce networks in the region.
