Vehicle falls into the Mapocho River in a shocking accident: driver had consumed alcohol

Santiago, Chile – An early morning marked by chaos and recklessness ended in potential tragedy when a car fell into the Mapocho River after a violent accident in the heart of the capital. The driver, who miraculously survived, tested positive for alcohol.

The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday morning , at the intersection of Avenida Costanera Norte and Puente Purísima , when a private vehicle lost control at high speed, broke the containment barrier and fell directly into the Mapocho River bed from a height of approximately 6 meters.

Eyewitnesses immediately alerted emergency crews. “It was like something out of a movie. The car was going very fast, zigzagging, and suddenly went straight into the river. We thought no one would make it out alive,” said a night worker.

The driver, under the influence of alcohol

Carabineros reported that the driver, identified as Matías C. (28 years old) , managed to get out of the car on his own after the impact. Despite suffering multiple minor injuries, he was found conscious on the riverbank. He was taken to the University of Chile Clinical Hospital, where he was stabilized.

Hours later, the medical report was accompanied by a confirmation that set off alarm bells : the breathalyzer test revealed that the young driver had 1.3 grams of alcohol per liter of blood , meaning he was driving while intoxicated .

Reactions and indignation

The incident sparked a wave of criticism on social media. “He could have killed someone else,” “It’s not an accident, it’s the result of irresponsibility,” wrote internet users after the news broke. Fortunately, no other   vehicles were involved or pedestrians injured , given the time of the incident.

Traffic authorities indicated that the stretch of the Costanera where the accident occurred is frequently used by speeding drivers. “We have repeatedly called for responsible driving, but this type of incident demonstrates that there are still those who don’t understand the dangers of drunk driving,” said Carabineros Commander Pablo Álvarez.

Salvaged vehicle and damage