Helena Nóbrega Gouveia & Ricardo Jonas Mendonça's Fatal Crash @ Rali Vinho da Madeira 1998
- 7 months ago
Two spectators were killed and two others were injured, during the 22nd special stage Paúl de Serra (Lajeado) of the 1998 Rali Vinho da Madeira. The Peugeot Esso Silver Team-entered Peugeot 306 Maxi driven by Portuguese team Adruzilo Lopes-Luís Lisboa, current leader of the rally, spun out of control after hitting a rock in a fast bend, rolled and lost a wheel. The wheel from the car hit a group of spectators, killing the 7-year-old boy Ricardo Jonas Mendonça and the 21-year-old woman Helena Nóbrega Gouveia. Two other female members of her family were severely injured, Ana Paula Gouveia and Teresa Nóbrega Gouveia.
After the accident the organizers did not stop the event. Andrea Aghini-Loris Roggia in a Toyota Corolla WRC eventually won the rally.
A formal process followed and three year later Adruzilo Lopes and the organizers finally acquitted of all charges.
Five-time winner of the Portuguese Rally Championship, in 2001 Adruzilo Lopes with co-driver Luís Lisboa won the Rali Vinho da Madeira.
R.I.P
After the accident the organizers did not stop the event. Andrea Aghini-Loris Roggia in a Toyota Corolla WRC eventually won the rally.
A formal process followed and three year later Adruzilo Lopes and the organizers finally acquitted of all charges.
Five-time winner of the Portuguese Rally Championship, in 2001 Adruzilo Lopes with co-driver Luís Lisboa won the Rali Vinho da Madeira.
R.I.P