How Did a Drunk Driver Kill an 11-Month-Old Baby in a Head-On Crash Near Tarija?
Quick answer: A drunk pickup driver killed an 11-month-old baby girl and injured two people in a head-on crash on the road to El Valle near Tarija, Bolivia, on Wednesday 4 November 2026. The driver had 1.64 degrees of alcohol in his blood, was detained, and now faces criminal proceedings.
Key facts
- What: Head-on crash between a pickup truck and a car
- Where: Near La Choza, on the road to El Valle, Tarija, Bolivia
- When: Wednesday 4 November 2026, at about 12:55
- Reported: 5 November 2026, by El País (Tarija)
- Reported toll: 1 killed (an 11-month-old baby girl), 2 injured
- Status: Driver detained; criminal proceedings opened
What happened
A white Nissan pickup truck and a green Datsun car collided head-on near La Choza on the road to El Valle, outside Tarija, at about 12:55 on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Other drivers who saw the crash went to the La Pintada checkpoint to report it, and officers from the El Valle police headquarters were the first to reach the scene.
When they arrived, officers found that an 11-month-old baby girl had died. Two other people were injured and taken to the Hospital Regional San Juan de Dios in Tarija.
The driver was drunk
The traffic department's report confirmed that the pickup driver had 1.64 degrees of alcohol in his blood, a level that shows he was driving drunk.
The director of traffic, Lieutenant Colonel Iván Garnica, said: "The pickup driver caused the accident by driving under the influence of alcohol (...) We have these victims because of this person's totally irresponsible conduct. The result has been fatal."
Both vehicles were severely damaged in the collision.
What happens next
The driver is detained and the Public Prosecutor's Office has opened criminal proceedings against him. The charge may include causing a traffic accident followed by death, and a precautionary hearing has yet to be scheduled.
If you drive on routes like this
- Never drive after drinking: alcohol slows reactions and makes head-on crashes far more likely
- Slow down on unfamiliar two-lane roads, where a single mistake can become a head-on collision
- Keep your distance and overtake only when you can see clearly ahead
- Wear the seatbelt in every seat; rear belts save lives in head-on impacts
- Know the local emergency number before you travel — our emergency numbers directory lists them by country
Frequently asked questions
### How many people died in the crash near Tarija? One person died: an 11-month-old baby girl. Two other people were injured and taken to the Hospital Regional San Juan de Dios.
Where did the crash happen?
Near La Choza, on the road to El Valle outside Tarija, Bolivia, at about 12:55 on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
How drunk was the driver who caused the crash?
The traffic department's blood test showed the pickup driver had 1.64 degrees of alcohol in his blood.
What happened to the driver?
He was detained, and the Public Prosecutor's Office opened criminal proceedings. The charge may include causing a traffic accident followed by death, and a precautionary hearing has yet to be scheduled.
What vehicles were involved?
A white Nissan pickup truck and a green Datsun car, which collided head-on. Both vehicles were severely damaged.
In this story
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