Fatal highway collision kills father and two daughters in Brazil

A fatal head-on collision on the BR-163 highway in São Gabriel do Oeste, Mato Grosso do Sul, killed a father and his two daughters. Antônio Pedro Zardin, 42, and his daughters, Maria Fernanda, 15, and Maria Carolina, 11, died after their Ford Ranger truck collided with a semi-trailer on Monday.

The family was traveling from Sinop, Mato Grosso, to attend the funeral of the girls' grandfather. The accident occurred near the 626 km mark of the highway. Reports indicate the victims' bodies were trapped in the wreckage. The family's pet dog also died in the crash.

The tragedy follows a period of significant loss for the family; the mother, Cristina Machinski, passed away from cancer in January 2025. The family had been attempting to rebuild their lives in Mato Grosso following her death. Civil Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash, with some family reports suggesting potential mechanical issues with the vehicle.