By Meli de Morgan
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico — What began as a night of celebration after Mexico’s national soccer team defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 ended in chaos and violence Wednesday night in downtown Cabo San Lucas, where at least 17 people were injured after a black Volkswagen Jetta struck pedestrian safety barriers near one of the city’s busiest intersections.
The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. on Lázaro Cárdenas Boulevard, near Zaragoza Street, as crowds gathered in the heart of Cabo San Lucas to celebrate Mexico’s win. The area, known for heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, quickly became the scene of panic, confusion and emergency response.
According to early accounts, Roberto Arellano, 45, was driving a black 2024 Volkswagen Jetta with his wife and two young children inside when the vehicle reached the area where fans had taken over the street. Videos shared on social media appear to show people surrounding the car, rocking it and throwing beer and cans toward the vehicle.
The situation appeared to escalate rapidly. Witness accounts indicate that at one point, a person was on the hood of the Jetta while others continued to crowd around the car. Inside, the family reportedly became frightened, especially the children, as the crowd’s behavior intensified.
Authorities have not released a final reconstruction of the incident. But according to preliminary reports, Arellano attempted to move the vehicle out of the crowd, apparently in an effort to protect his family. Moments later, the car crashed into pedestrian protection barriers at the intersection of Lázaro Cárdenas and Zaragoza.
One pedestrian suffered serious injuries after being struck. Several others were also hurt and later treated by emergency crews.
After the crash, the scene grew even more violent. Part of the crowd reportedly turned on the driver and his family. Arellano was allegedly beaten and left unconscious at the scene before paramedics arrived. His wife managed to get the children to safety.
Ambulances and emergency units responded to the area and transported the injured to several hospitals in Cabo San Lucas.
City official says police were present; prosecutors reviewing videos and surveillance footage
At 2 p.m. Thursday, Alberto Rentería Santana, secretary general of the Los Cabos municipal government, provided an update during an interview on the radio program “Los Cabos a la Carta” on Cabo Mil.
Rentería said municipal officials were deeply shaken by the incident and that he and acting Mayor José Manuel Larumbe responded immediately to the emergency after the mass-injury crash was reported.
He confirmed that 17 people were injured. Of those, 11 had been discharged from four hospitals in Cabo San Lucas by Thursday afternoon. The remaining victims were still under medical observation or receiving treatment.
Rentería said the most critical cases included Arellano, the driver, and one pedestrian who was run over and suffered severe head injuries.
The municipal official also stated that Los Cabos municipal police were present in the area when the incident occurred. However, he said the investigation and the determination of responsibility are now in the hands of the Baja California Sur Attorney General’s Office.
State prosecutors said investigators from the Criminal Investigation Agency and forensic services personnel were dispatched to the scene shortly after authorities learned of the incident. Their work included processing the scene, securing evidence and beginning the first phase of the investigation.
The Attorney General’s Office said it is gathering official medical information to determine the exact number of people injured and the current condition of each victim. Prosecutors also said they are reviewing surveillance footage from the area, along with videos recorded by witnesses and circulated on social media.
Authorities urged anyone with video, photographs, testimony or other information that could help the investigation to come forward anonymously through the State Anonymous Citizen Reporting Center at 800 474 5322 or through the free DACBCS mobile app.
Later Wednesday night, acting Mayor Larumbe and Los Cabos Civil Protection Director Francisco Cota Márquez arrived at the scene. They later visited hospitals to follow up on the condition of the injured and provide support to their families.
The investigation remains open as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events, identify those involved in the violence and establish responsibility for the injuries, property damage and public disorder that turned a soccer celebration into one of the most troubling nights in recent memory for downtown Cabo San Lucas.
No comments:
Post a Comment