Husband is charged with manslaughter after wife’s death in incident on ferry in RS

The husband of Fabiana Oliveira, 36 years old, who died after the car they were in failed to stop on a ferry and fell into a river in Mato Queimado (RS), on August 26, 2023, was indicted by the Civil Police for manslaughter.

Fabiana was a passenger in the vehicle driven by her husband. Although suspicions of criminal action arose at the time, delegate Rogério Junges, responsible for the investigation, confirmed that it was an accident.

According to Junges, the husband was charged with traffic manslaughter aggravated by drunkenness, as the test revealed the ingestion of alcoholic beverages. Initially, the driver told witnesses that there was a mechanical problem, however, when questioned, he chose to remain silent, quite shaken by the situation.

The General Institute of Expertise (IGP) found no mechanical faults in the vehicle. The husband responds to the case on release, but, if convicted, could face up to eight years in prison.

The incident occurred at around 4:30 pm in the town of Passo das Violas, in the interior of Mato Queimado. Security camera footage shows the moment the car advances towards the ferry, enters the vessel, but is unable to stop, continuing in motion until it reaches the river. The driver managed to survive, but Fabiana, trapped in the car, was unable to escape and ended up dying.