Two people died and 15 others sustained injuries on Friday, November 13, when an out-of-control stake truck plowed through 13 vehicles along a steep slope in Medellín.
The multi-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 10:50 a.m. on the Calle 80 slope between Carrera 68 and Carrera 65 in the Córdoba neighborhood, near the Universal Cemetery in the city’s northwestern sector, according to municipal authorities. The stake truck descended at high speed, striking a descending motorcycle carrying two individuals before continuing its march to impact 12 other automobiles and motorcycles.
Medellín mobility officials identified the deceased motorcyclists as Cristian Orozco Gómez, 32, who drove the bike, and Nini Mabel Espejo López, 34, who rode as a passenger. Preliminary reports indicated that the victims did not share a familial or romantic relationship, prompting investigators to examine why they were traveling together.
Mayor Federico Gutiérrez confirmed the fatalities and injuries via his official account on X, urging citizens to seek alternate routes. “Les pido a los ciudadanos tomar vías alternas y facilitar el trabajo de los organismos de atención”, Gutiérrez indicated.
Vehicle Collision Details
Initial reports gathered by local outlets and reported by El Tiempo noted that the truck apparently lost its brakes while descending the steep incline. The out-of-control vehicle struck the motorcycle carrying Orozco Gómez and Espejo López before crashing into multiple cars and motorcycles stopped at a local traffic light.
Resident Lucila Guerrero recounted to Telemedellín that she observed the heavy vehicle hurtling down from above. “Fue una volqueta o una jaula que bajaba sin frenos, desde arriba, y hubo el accidente”, Guerrero told the outlet.
Another local resident, Julián, survived the incident by jumping from his motorcycle as the truck bore down on his lane. “Yo cuando evidencié que ellos venían bajando a esa velocidad, lo que pude hacer fue tirarme lo que más pude hacia la derecha, pero no hubo tiempo ni espacio”, Julián told Telemedellín.
Did You Know? The Calle 80 slope was the site of a prior major collision on July 27, 2013, when a dump truck without brakes struck 35 vehicles, leaving one person dead and six others severely injured.
Injured people receive medical care while officials investigate the crash
Secretary of Mobility Pablo Ferney Ruiz Garzón reported that 15 people suffered injuries in the crash. Six patients were transported to medical centers for evaluation without life-threatening conditions, while nine others received on-site medical assessments and were discharged.
Emergency teams from the mobility, health, and fire departments deployed to the scene, causing prolonged closures along Calle 80 between the Altamira traffic circle and the Universal Cemetery. Ruiz Garzón said that investigators will conduct a thorough technical inspection of the stake truck to determine the exact mechanical causes and potential criminal responsibilities.
According to data from the Medellín Mobility Observatory, the latest fatalities bring the total number of traffic-related deaths on the city’s roads to 271 this year. By comparison, authorities recorded 245 traffic fatalities during the same period last year.
Who were the victims and where did the crash occur?
Who were the two victims killed in the Calle 80 crash?
The victims were Cristian Orozco Gómez, 32, who operated the motorcycle, and Nini Mabel Espejo López, 34, who rode as the passenger.
Where and when did the multi-vehicle accident take place?
The crash happened at approximately 10:50 a.m. on Friday, November 13, on the Calle 80 slope between Carrera 68 and Carrera 65 in the Córdoba neighborhood of Medellín.
How many total vehicles were involved in the incident?
A total of 13 vehicles, including private cars and motorcycles, were struck before the truck was stopped by a collision with another heavy lorry.
Keep reading