Salinas traffic accident leaves one dead and causes power outages

A fatal traffic accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Salinas, Santa Elena province. A vehicle carrying five people struck a utility pole at the intersection of Jaime Roldós Aguilera and José Alberto Estrada.

Gianella Velasteguí Suárez, a 29-year-old cosmetologist, died after becoming trapped in the vehicle. Two other passengers were injured in the collision. The impact against the pole, which held electrical cables, caused widespread power outages across much of the city of Salinas. Authorities from the Traffic Accident Investigation Office (OIAT) are currently investigating the cause of the crash.