Runaway truck crash on Guadalajara-Tepic highway leaves multiple dead

A devastating multi-vehicle crash on the Guadalajara-Tepic highway has left a disputed number of dead and injured, with official figures ranging from 9 to 11 fatalities. The accident occurred Sunday on Federal Highway 15D near Plan de Barrancas, Jalisco, when a tractor-trailer lost its brakes and plowed into vehicles already stopped due to a prior minor collision, triggering a fire that consumed several cars and trucks Source: La Jornada.

What happened

According to reports, a truck driver heading from Guadalajara to Tepic noticed brake failure and attempted to use an emergency ramp, but the ramp was blocked by vehicles from the earlier incident Source: CNN en Español. The runaway truck then hit multiple vehicles, including another tractor-trailer, and a fire erupted, destroying three private vehicles and two tractor-trailers Source: La Voz. Two private vehicles and a Guardia Nacional unit were also damaged.

Casualties and response

Initial reports from state authorities indicated 10 dead and 10 injured Source: La Vanguardia, but later updates varied. Heraldo de México reported 11 dead and 13 injured, while Infobae cited 9 dead and 13 injured Source: Infobae, second article. Among the dead were two minors Source: CNN. Ten injured included two Guardia Nacional officers in serious condition and four U.S. citizens with minor injuries, who were taken to a hospital in Guadalajara Source: La Vanguardia. The highway remained closed overnight for investigation and cleanup.