DJ Dani Brasil defense claims drug-induced psychotic break in fatal hit-and-run

Defense lawyers for DJ Daniel Santana de Jesus, known as Dani Brasil, claim the musician was experiencing a psychotic break caused by the sedative Zolpidem during a fatal incident in São Paulo. According to his legal team, Santana had consumed alcohol and taken the hypnotic medication while grieving the death of his dog, leading to a state where he does not remember driving.

The incident occurred on a Friday morning in the Santo Amaro district. Security footage shows Santana driving a BMW against traffic to evade Military Police, during which he struck and dragged a 57-year-old homeless man, Carlos Alberto Minotti, approximately 400 meters. Minotti later died at a local medical unit.

Following the collision, Santana abandoned the vehicle and was filmed jumping into a club swimming pool to avoid arrest. While the defense cites a drug-induced episode, police reported that a breathalyzer test conducted on the driver showed a positive alcohol level of 0.71. Santana was arrested in flagrante delicto.