Influencer ‘Gato Preto’ indicted in 2025 Faria Lima Porsche crash for drunk driving and hit-and-run

Samuel Sant’Anna da Costa, widely known as the influencer “Gato Preto,” faces indictment by the Civil Police following a high-profile Porsche accident that occurred on August 20, 2025, on São Paulo’s bustling Faria Lima avenue in the city’s West Zone. The incident garnered significant public attention due to its circumstances and the individuals involved, raising questions about responsible conduct by public figures. Authorities have been actively investigating the events leading up to and immediately following the luxury car collision.

The Civil Police detailed multiple charges against Sant’Anna, including vehicular bodily harm (lesão corporal culposa), fleeing the scene of an accident, driving under the influence of alcohol or other psychoactive substances, and tampering with the accident scene. These allegations underscore the severity of the incident and the potential legal ramifications for the influencer. The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the 15th Police District, located in Itaim Bibi.

Following the accident, Sant’Anna was briefly detained at his apartment in Guarulhos, a city in Greater São Paulo, and subsequently taken to the 14th Police District in Pinheiros to provide a statement regarding the crash. He was later released by authorities as the initial phases of the investigation proceeded.

Key details of the chaotic Faria Lima crash

The early morning hours of August 20, 2025, witnessed the dramatic accident when Sant’Anna and fellow influencer Bia Miranda were reportedly returning from a nightclub in São Paulo. The Porsche, a high-performance luxury vehicle, lost control and violently collided with a street pole, a traffic light, and a second vehicle on Faria Lima avenue. Eyewitness accounts and initial police reports indicated that the Porsche driven by “Gato Preto” had run a red light at high speed just prior to the collision, contributing significantly to the impact’s severity.

Charges filed against the influencer

The charges of vehicular bodily harm and driving under the influence carry significant legal weight, highlighting concerns over public safety and driver accountability. Police investigations are focusing on how Samuel Sant’Anna’s actions directly contributed to the crash and the injuries sustained by another party involved. Brazilian law imposes strict penalties for such offenses, particularly when aggravated by a driver’s state.

Furthermore, allegations of fleeing the scene of the accident and altering the crash site suggest a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility or compromise the integrity of the police investigation. These specific charges indicate that authorities believe there was an intention to conceal evidence or avoid immediate legal consequences. The 15th Police District continues to gather and analyze evidence to build a comprehensive case against the influencer.

Immediate actions and public visibility

Images and videos quickly circulated across social media platforms in the aftermath of the crash, showing Samuel Sant’Anna and Bia Miranda exiting the heavily damaged Porsche. The luxury vehicle was rendered almost completely destroyed, with visible wreckage scattered across the avenue. One widely shared video vividly depicted a traffic light nearly toppled from its base due to the sheer force of the collision, illustrating the immense impact.

The police report confirmed that in addition to the extensive damage to public infrastructure, a second car was also struck during the sequence of collisions. The presence of multiple impacted objects and vehicles suggests a chaotic and uncontrolled trajectory of the Porsche during the incident. This widespread dissemination of footage immediately brought the accident into the public eye, fueling widespread discussion and scrutiny.

Victim assistance and financial claims

Paramedics and the Military Police swiftly responded to the scene of the accident. One of the victims, who had been in the other vehicle struck by the Porsche, received immediate medical attention and was subsequently transported to the emergency room at Hospital Alvorada for further treatment. The condition of this victim has been a key aspect of the ongoing investigation, particularly in relation to the vehicular bodily harm charge.

In the days following the incident, Samuel Sant’Anna publicly commented on the crash by posting videos online, in which he claimed to have incurred a financial loss amounting to R$1.5 million due to the destruction of his Porsche. While acknowledging his personal financial setback, these statements also drew criticism from some who pointed to the more serious issues of public safety and accountability for the injuries caused.

Legal process and investigative progression

Sant’Anna’s initial arrest in Guarulhos and subsequent transport to the 14th Police District for questioning marked a critical early phase in the investigation. His deposition was a formal step in providing his account of the events to law enforcement officials, which is a standard procedure in accident investigations. Despite being released after his statement, the formal indictment confirms that the police have compiled sufficient evidence to move forward with the charges.

The case remains active and under detailed scrutiny at the 15th Police District, with authorities expected to continue collecting testimonies, reviewing forensic evidence, and analyzing surveillance footage. The comprehensive nature of the charges indicates a thorough examination of all contributing factors, from the alleged reckless driving to actions taken immediately after the crash. The legal proceedings are anticipated to progress as the full scope of the evidence is prepared for judicial review.

A timeline of the Faria Lima incident

The investigation continues to piece together the sequence of events that unfolded on that fateful morning.

– August 20, 2025: Samuel Sant’Anna da Costa, known as “Gato Preto,” is involved in a severe Porsche accident on Faria Lima avenue.
– Social media footage circulates, showing influencers leaving the extensively damaged luxury vehicle at the crash site.
– Sant’Anna is apprehended at his Guarulhos residence and taken to the 14th Police District for formal questioning.
– The Civil Police officially announce his indictment on multiple charges, including vehicular bodily harm and driving under the influence.