A devastating series of crashes on the Mexico-Querétaro Highway has claimed at least 19 lives and injured several others, bringing one of the country’s busiest transport routes to a complete halt. The disaster struck late Wednesday morning, November 20, near the municipality of Huehuetoca in the State of Mexico, when a large cargo trailer reportedly lost control and sparked a catastrophic chain reaction.
A Catastrophic Scene at Kilometer 59
The initial impact occurred around kilometer 59, just south of the Jorobas interchange—an area known for steep slopes and heavy truck traffic. A cargo trailer traveling toward Mexico City allegedly failed to brake in time, colliding with multiple vehicles before overturning and sliding across all three lanes. The crash involved at least five private cars and one pickup truck, leaving behind mangled metal, shattered glass, and debris scattered over the highway.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene. One driver recounted seeing smoke rise from the truck’s brakes moments before it slammed into several cars. “When it hit, the sound was like an explosion,” he said.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes as paramedics, firefighters, and civil protection units rushed to the site. A security perimeter was established, and traffic was redirected to side roads, though long delays quickly stretched for miles in both directions.
Investigators Examine What Went Wrong
Preliminary reports suggest that slick road conditions from heavy overnight rain may have contributed to the crash. The trailer’s driver, who survived and remains under police guard in the hospital, told authorities that the brakes failed just before impact.
Investigators from state and federal agencies have launched a formal inquiry to determine whether mechanical issues, driver fatigue, or excessive speed played a role. Officials are also reviewing whether the highway’s sharp curves, poor drainage, and high freight volume may have worsened the incident.
Rescue teams from nearby towns, including Cuautitlán, Tepotzotlán, and Zumpango, worked tirelessly through the day to assist victims. Several survivors were treated at the scene, while others were airlifted to regional hospitals. As night fell, forensic teams began the grim task of identifying victims as cleanup crews cleared wreckage and spilled fuel from the road.
But even as authorities battled the aftermath, the crisis deepened when a second accident erupted further north…
