Chihuahua monster truck accident
Date5 October 2013
LocationChihuahua City, Mexico
CauseTruck swerving into the crowd
PerpetratorMonster truck
Deaths8
Non-fatal injuries79
ConvictedFrancisco Velazquez Samaniego
Sentence5 years

The Chihuahua monster truck accident occurred on 5 October 2013 in Chihuahua City, Mexico, when a monster truck crashed into spectators at an air show.[1][2] Eight people were reported killed, including children, and 79 were injured.[3] Officials and event organizers were blamed for the disaster.[4][5] To date, it is the deadliest monster truck incident to have occurred.

Accident

The Extreme Aeroshow was being held at the El Rejon dam, on the outskirts of Chihuahua City. Carlos Gonzalez, spokesman for the Chihuahua state prosecutors' office, said that the driver "appeared to lose control of the truck after leaping over cars it was crushing during a demonstration".[6]

It was reported that the outdoor arena lacked any visible barriers.[7]

The driver was detained and said in a statement that he hit his head on something inside the cabin and lost consciousness.[3]

Investigation

Governor of Chihuahua César Duarte Jáquez said his administration was investigating whether the Civil Protection authorities had correctly enforced safety regulations.[6] Governor Jáquez announced 3 days of mourning.[7]

Francisco Velázquez Samaniego, the driver of the monster truck, was convicted of reckless homicide and inflicting injury and damage. He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay MXN$26 million in restitution.[8] Velázquez maintained that he was unconscious at the time of the accident, and that he had warned organizers that the spectators were too close. He was the only person convicted in relation to the accident.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Mexico 'monster truck' crash kills eight at air show". BBC News. 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  2. ↑ By Catherine E. Shoichet and Nelson Quinones. "Monster truck crash kills 8, injures dozens in Mexico". CNN. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  3. 1 2 "Mexico monster truck accident kills 8, including kids, injures 79". Reuters. 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  4. ↑ "Officials blamed in Mexico monster truck crash". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  5. ↑ "Event organisers blamed in deadly Mexico monster truck crash". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  6. 1 2 Chavez, Jose Antonio Sanchez and Ricardo. "Mexican monster truck wreck kills 8, hurts dozens". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  7. 1 2 "Monster Truck Crash Kills Eight At Outdoor Event In Mexico". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  8. 1 2 "Herida aún sigue abierta, hoy 5 años del accidente del Aero Show". El Heraldo de Chihuahua (in Spanish). 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
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