This is the moment a drink-driver speeds off an overpass and lands on a convertible, knocking out the driver, who inadvertently steps on the gas and reportedly rams five other cars.
The seven-vehicle accident was filmed on Avenida Dionisio Gomes in the municipality of Ribeirao das Neves in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais at around 12.30pm on Christmas Day.
According to firefighters, seven vehicles were involved in the accident and nine people were injured.
The news site O Tempo said the allegedly drunk driver flew off the overpass and landed on the roof of a passing Chevrolet Camaro.
The Camaro driver was reportedly knocked out and stepped on the accelerator, sending the convertible into another five cars on the road and injuring nine people.
There was also a fuel leak at the scene and a risk of explosion, which was later contained by the Fire Department.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Kellen Cristina said: “The driver of the first vehicle, a Chevette, was on a side lane of the road, which is a little higher. He says he lost control of the vehicle and hit the roof of the second vehicle, a Camaro. The driver of this vehicle passed out immediately, had his foot caught on the accelerator and this car accelerated along the road, hitting five other vehicles.”
The emergency services arrived on the scene and treated the injured parties, including the driver of the Camaro, who suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.
The police said the Chevette driver admitted to drinking two shots of brandy earlier that day, adding: “He initially refused to take a breathalyser test, but later agreed and confirmed his drink intake.”
Eyewitness Eli Leandro Ferreira, 59, said: “The Chevette landed on top of the Camaro. At first I thought the driver was killed because the car fell on his head.
“I’m in shock because I saw everything, I was looking at the car and it was really scary. At first I even thought there were more victims, because it looked very bad.
“I didn’t even want to go down there out of fear of seeing lots of dead people, but thank God it wasn’t that serious.”
The police said some local residents tried to attack the injured Camaro driver after presuming that they had caused the crash.
However, the police were able to explain the situation to angry residents and prevent the situation from escalating.
The Chevette driver has been placed under arrest as the investigation continues.
