Luís Carlos de Souza Pinheiro, 36, and Paula Daniela Martins, 45, their children aged 12 and four, and Paula’s sister Dulcinéia Lozano died after a car accident on Christmas Eve
Five members of the same family, including two children, tragically died after a car crash on Christmas Eve.
Luís Carlos de Souza Pinheiro, 36, and Paula Daniela Martins, 45, their children aged 12 and four, and Paula’s sister Dulcinéia Lozano died on the spot after the vehicle they were riding in was hit by a BMW on Wednesday, causing it to burst into flames in the middle of the SP-331 highway.
The driver of the BMW, meanwhile, was rushed to Santa Casa de Pirajuí Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he was found to have suffered minor injuries. He told police the family car had stopped in the roadway with its lights off and refused to provide a breathalyzer sample. The investigation into the incident continues.
Paula was known in the region for selling cheeses, while her sister Dulcinéia was a kindergarten teacher. Father Luís Carlos, better known as ‘Batore’, had shared photos on his social media of moments spent together as a family, including several photos of the children riding horses.
The Iacanga City Council expressed their condolences to the family, who were residents of the small town in the district of Sao Paulo, and declared three days of mourning.
A statement on Facebook said: “The Iacanga City Council expresses its deep mourning over the death of municipalities that occurred on the night of December 24, 2025, a fact that deeply moved the entire community.
“As a sign of respect and solidarity with the relatives, three days of institutional mourning have been declared, within the scope of the municipal legislature.
“In this moment of grief, the Chamber joins the people of Iacanga in expressing its condolences and wishing strength and comfort to the family and friends.”
Below the post were tributes from locals, including one that read: “Sorrow on top of sorrow. May God have mercy on us all. They have fulfilled their legacy. May they rest in peace.”
Another person wrote: “It’s so sad to see a family lost this way. May God welcome them with open arms.”
And a third local comment: “May God receive them in his mercy and may the Holy Spirit of God comfort their friends and family. This road has claimed many lives!!”
The Christmas Eve crash prompted a major emergency response involving the Military Highway Police, two fire trucks and a number of recovery vehicles. Diversions remained in place along the section of SP-331 highway near Balbinos until 6 a.m. on Christmas Day.
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