Taynara Souza Santos, 31, died on Dec. 24 after nearly a month in a coma resulting from an alleged Nov. 29 hit-and-run in São Paulo that left her dragged onto the Marginal Tietê highway. CCTV footage reportedly shows her being pulled behind a vehicle before ending up on the highway. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Douglas Alves da Silva, was arrested on Nov. 30; witnesses and a passenger say he ignored warnings to stop. Santos underwent multiple surgeries, including amputations, and authorities say charges will be updated following her death.
Brazilian Mother Dies on Christmas Eve After Alleged Hit-and-Run That Dragged Her Onto Highway
James Crombie/Inpho/ShutterstockA police car is photographed in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Taynara Souza Santos, a 31-year-old mother of two from São Paulo, died on Dec. 24 after spending nearly a month in a coma following an alleged hit-and-run that left her dragged onto the Marginal Tietê highway.
Local authorities say the incident occurred in the early hours of Nov. 29. CCTV footage published by Brazilian media shows Santos walking with a man at about 6 a.m.; roughly 30 seconds after they walk out of frame, she is visible being dragged for hundreds of feet behind a vehicle until she came to rest on the highway.
Arrest and Allegations
Police identified the driver as 26-year-old Douglas Alves da Silva and located him on Nov. 30. According to a police report obtained by CNN, Alves da Silva allegedly attempted to seize an officer's firearm during his arrest and was shot by police. The passenger in his car has told investigators he repeatedly told the driver to stop and warned that Santos was trapped under the vehicle; the passenger says the driver accelerated instead.
Nelson ALMEIDA / AFP via GettyA Brazilian police patrol on Dec. 7, 2025.
Injuries, Treatment and Death
Santos was taken to Hospital das Clínicas at the University of São Paulo with life-threatening injuries. Her family and local outlets reported she underwent multiple surgeries, including amputations of both legs, an amputation in the thigh area to allow buttock reconstruction, a tracheostomy to secure her airway, and reconstructive plastic surgery. She briefly awoke from a coma but her condition later deteriorated after a final operation. Her family says she died at about 7 p.m. on Dec. 24.
'My only feeling towards him is anger,' Santos' sister, Tatiana Souza Santos, told local media in early December. 'What he did makes no sense at all. He has no right to do this to anyone.'
Investigation
Witnesses told local news outlet UOL that the collision appeared intentional and that jealousy may have been a motive. Authorities initially investigated the case as attempted femicide; prosecutors said charges will be updated following Santos' death. The investigation remains ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. In the United States call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for confidential support 24/7. Local resources are available in other countries.
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