The city of Sidrolândia, in Mato Grosso do Sul, is mourning the tragic loss of Drielle Leite Lopes and her three children—Helena (10), João Lúcio (2), and José Augusto (3 months)—who died in a horrific car crash on the BR-060. The family was returning from visiting Drielle’s mother to celebrate buying their new home.

The crash occurred when a Corsa, driven by a mechanic reportedly under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, attempted to overtake a truck, struck it, and collided with the Saveiro carrying the family. “The impact was so violent that the Corsa left the road and caught fire,” and the driver, who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and seriously injured.

The driver is hospitalized under police guard and has been ordered into preventive detention.

Drielle’s husband and their 12-year-old son survived. The father, emotionally devastated, sustained minor injuries, while the boy remains hospitalized after five surgeries but is out of danger.

The tragedy has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against impaired driving. The grieving family now seeks justice—“not just as punishment, but to prevent more senseless deaths.”