No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaDrunk driver kills three U.S. tourists in car accident in Costa Rica

Drunk driver kills three U.S. tourists in car accident in Costa Rica

Three United States tourists and a Costa Rican died when the minibus in which they were traveling collided head-on with a truck, which was being driven by an alcohol-impaired Salvadoran.

The incident occurred in the municipality of La Cruz, Guanacaste (in the northwest of Costa Rica), in a tourist area with several popular ​​beaches. The truck driver lost control while traveling at high speed and hit the minibus, according to Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ).

OIJ identified the U.S. victims: a couple of last name Niemiec, both 46, and another person named Williams, 50.

The driver of the minibus, a Costa Rican, also died in the crash. He was not immediately identified.

The accident happened on Friday night, and on Saturday details of what happened were released.

According to OIJ, the cargo truck was traveling north driven by a Salvadoran, who tested positive to two breathalyzer tests.

The man was arrested and faces possible charges for involuntary manslaughter.

Hospitals in the area served four other passengers in the minibus, one of whom was in a serious conditions.

Trending Now

Trump says he will order release of information about extraterrestrials

U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he will order federal agencies to “identify and publish” government files related to extraterrestrials, something some Americans...

One-Lane Travel Returns to Costa Rica’s Tárcoles Bridge

Drivers heading along Route 34 should prepare for delays starting Monday, as traffic on the bridge over the Tárcoles River shifts back to one...

Procomer Opens New Office in Silicon Valley to Draw Tech Investments

Costa Rica's export promotion agency, Procomer, opened an investment promotion office in Silicon Valley on February 17. The move targets foreign direct investment from...

US Keeps Travel Warning for Guatemala After January Gang Attacks

The U.S. State Department keeps Guatemala at a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory due to crime. Officials issued the current version in late December...

Costa Rica Begins Measles Vaccination Drive Due To Recent Surge

Costa Rica's Ministry of Health has rolled out a nationwide vaccination campaign against measles following a marked increase in cases across the Americas. The...

Costa Ricans Embrace Global Entry Program

Costa Ricans show strong interest in the Global Entry program, which allows faster entry into the United States. Two months after its launch here,...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica