DEMERVAL LOBÃO, PIAUÍ, BRAZIL – JUNE 12, 2026 Tragic accident occurred on BR-316 Highway in the metropolitan area of Teresina, resulting in the death of 40-year-old Francisca Maria da Silva Dourado. The woman was attempting to cross the busy highway near the town of Demerval Lobão when she was struck by a fuel tanker truck transporting gasoline and diesel. According to her family, the driver honked before the collision, but Francisca believed she had enough time to cross the road and continued walking. She suffered injuries incompatible with life – the truck completely crushed her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Francisca Maria da Silva Dourado
The truck driver left the scene after the crash but later contacted the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and voluntarily came forward to give a statement. He said he fled because he feared a possible reaction from local residents. Police then launched an investigation, secured the crash scene, and interviewed witnesses.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of this stretch of BR-316 Highway. Local residents have long warned that the area lacks a safe pedestrian crossing or an overpass, even though several serious traffic accidents have occurred there in the past. Based on the information available so far, there is no indication that the driver acted intentionally. Investigators are treating the case as a tragic traffic accident involving a pedestrian crossing the roadway.
