Tragic Accident on Jala-Compostela Highway Claims 9 Lives

A fatal accident occurred early Monday morning, May 9, on the Jala-Compostela highway, a toll road in the Mexican state of Nayarit. The incident, which involved the overturn of a tractor-trailer, claimed the lives of nine individuals, including four minors. The victims were part of a group of approximately 25 people who were traveling from the state of Puebla to Puerto Vallarta to sell flowers for the Mother's Day celebration.

Details of the Accident

The accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. at kilometer 52 of the Jala-Compostela toll highway. According to the Attorney General's Office of Nayarit, the driver of the 1998 Kenworth tractor-trailer, which was transporting flowers, lost control of the vehicle while driving at excessive speed on a curve. The truck left the asphalt and fell into a 30-meter-deep ravine, claiming eight lives on the spot and leaving ten others injured, including the driver.

A ninth victim, a minor who was among the injured, passed away on Tuesday, bringing the total number of fatalities to nine. The driver, Jaime "N", is in custody and will be placed at the disposal of a Control Judge in the next few hours.

Identified Victims

All the victims of the accident have been identified, and after completing all the necessary formalities, they will be transferred to their home state of Puebla. The deceased individuals include five adults and four minors who were part of the group traveling to Puerto Vallarta to sell flowers.

Safety on Mexican Roads

This tragic accident is a reminder of the importance of road safety in Mexico. According to the World Health Organization, Mexico has one of the highest rates of road traffic deaths in the world. In 2018, there were 16.4 deaths per 100,000 population, and the country ranked 22nd out of 175 countries in terms of road traffic deaths.

The Mexican government has implemented various measures to improve road safety, including stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved infrastructure, and public education campaigns. However, there is still much work to be done to reduce the number of road traffic accidents in the country.

Conclusion

The Jala-Compostela highway accident is a tragedy that has claimed the lives of nine individuals and left several others injured. The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for continued efforts to improve it in Mexico. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims.