Trucker's defense claims no hit-and-run after car dragged on Via Dutra; highway police dispute

The defense for a truck driver who dragged an elderly woman's car for approximately 700 meters on the Via Dutra highway in São José dos Campos, Brazil, asserts he did not flee the scene. They claim he was unaware of the collision due to a blind spot and only stopped later at a gas station to report the incident. The driver's lawyer, Antônio Franc, stated his client informed a concessionária employee he would move to a safe location, as the area was under construction. He reportedly saw the elderly woman outside her car, seemingly unharmed, using her phone. The defense also mentioned safety concerns prevented an immediate stop on that stretch of highway.

However, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) disputes this account. Inspector Cleverson Calzado stated that PRF records indicate the truck made a brief stop after the accident but then continued, passing a PRF post without stopping. The driver also did not use the emergency number 191. The PRF noted the truck was parked about 40 minutes later further down the highway. The concessionária CCR RioSP stated a safe shoulder was available about 500 meters from the collision site, making it unnecessary to leave the scene. The truck's tachograph data has been provided to the Civil Police, who are continuing their investigation into the incident, which occurred around 11 AM at kilometer 145 of the highway.