Key Facts
- ✓ Francenildo Alves dos Santos, 40, died after colliding with a SAMU ambulance in Juazeiro do Norte.
- ✓ The accident occurred at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday at the intersection of São Mamede and Limoeiro streets.
- ✓ Security footage shows the motorcycle advancing into the intersection while the ambulance was traveling at high speed.
- ✓ The ambulance was responding to an emergency call in the Tirandentes neighborhood at the time of the crash.
- ✓ The Civil Police of Juazeiro do Norte is investigating the incident.
Quick Summary
A fatal traffic accident occurred in Juazeiro do Norte involving a motorcyclist and a SAMU ambulance. The victim, identified as Francenildo Alves dos Santos, was 40 years old. The collision took place during the early morning hours of Sunday, January 11.
According to available information, the accident happened at approximately 5:00 a.m. The motorcyclist was traveling on São Mamede street when he entered the intersection with Limoeiro street. Simultaneously, a Servico de Atendimento Movel de Urgencia (SAMU) ambulance was traversing Limoeiro street at high speed. The ambulance was en route to an emergency call in the Tirandentes neighborhood. Following the impact, the medical team on the ambulance administered first aid to Mr. Santos. He was transported to the Regional do Cariri Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The local SAMU unit issued a statement confirming the details of the dispatch. They noted that the original emergency call was handled by a different unit while the accident scene was managed by the involved crew. The Civil Police of Juazeiro do Norte has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
Details of the Incident
The collision occurred at the intersection of Rua São Mamede and Rua Limoeiro in the Franciscanos neighborhood. The location is approximately 700 meters from the residence of Francenildo Alves dos Santos. Security camera footage captured the moments leading up to the crash, showing the motorcycle proceeding through the intersection without stopping, effectively crossing the right of way on São Mamede street.
The ambulance, which was traveling on Rua Limoeiro, struck the motorcycle. The footage indicates that the ambulance was moving at a high rate of speed at the time of the collision. The SAMU 192 Ceará team immediately ceased transport duties to provide emergency medical attention to the motorcyclist at the scene.
Despite the rapid response and administration of first aid, the injuries sustained by Mr. Santos were fatal. He was transported to the Hospital Regional do Cariri where he was declared deceased. The emergency call that the ambulance was originally responding to, located in the Tirandentes neighborhood, was reassigned to another SAMU unit to ensure the patient in that case received care.
"O Samu 192 Ceará lamenta profundamente o ocorrido e se solidariza com os familiares e amigos da vítima, reafirmando seu compromisso com a assistência à saúde, a transparência e a segurança nos atendimentos prestados à população."
— SAMU 192 Ceará
Official Response and Investigation 🚨
The SAMU Ceará organization released an official statement regarding the tragedy. The agency expressed deep regret over the incident and extended condolences to the victim's family and friends. The statement emphasized the organization's commitment to transparency and the safety of the care provided to the population.
In the statement, the agency confirmed that the crew involved in the accident fulfilled all necessary protocols following the collision. The team registered a boletim de ocorrência (police report) and provided full explanations regarding the events to the authorities.
The Secretaria da Segurança Pública do Ceará (SSPDS) confirmed that the case is currently under review. The Delegacia de Polícia Civil de Juazeiro do Norte is responsible for conducting the investigation to determine the exact circumstances and liability regarding the accident.
Victim Profile and Community Reaction
The victim, Francenildo Alves dos Santos, was 40 years old and worked as a caminhoneiro (truck driver). Beyond his profession, he was a well-known figure in the local community of Juazeiro do Norte due to his participation in cultural festivities.
He was affectionately known by the nickname "Mestre Cabeça" because of his active role in local reisado groups. Reisado is a traditional folk theater and musical genre popular in the Northeast region of Brazil.
The group "Amigos da Infância", of which Francenildo was a founding member, issued a heartfelt tribute to him. The group shared a message expressing their grief and respect for their friend:
"Descanse em paz, querido amigo. Deus escolheu levar você para a eternidade, onde não há dor nem sofrimento, apenas paz, luz e descanso. Sentiremos muito a sua falta."
This message translates to a wish for him to rest in peace, noting that God chose to take him to eternity where there is no pain or suffering, only peace, light, and rest, and that he will be deeply missed.
"Descanse em paz, querido amigo. Deus escolheu levar você para a eternidade, onde não há dor nem sofrimento, apenas paz, luz e descanso. Sentiremos muito a sua falta."
— Grupo 'Amigos da Infância'
