Drunk Police Officer Arrested After Fatal Crash in José Leandro Oviedo

A Paraguayan police officer was arrested after a fatal head-on collision on Route PY08 in José Leandro Oviedo, and a breath test showed he had been drinking.

The crash occurred at about 7:20 p.m. near kilometer 55. The officer, identified as 39-year-old Niño Miguel Araújo Cáceres, was driving a black Volkswagen with registration NBC929. He serves as a senior noncommissioned officer in the Regional Criminal Investigation Directorate in Caazapá and was not on duty, according to statements he gave to colleagues.

The motorcycle rider, Manuel Acosta Guaricuyu, 32, died at the scene. He came from the San Juan neighborhood in Yuty, Caazapá, and was traveling toward Caazapá on a red Kenton GTR motorcycle with registration 965 ABSN. The police vehicle was traveling toward José Leandro Oviedo.

Road patrol officers led by Inspector Lorenzo Flores administered the alcohol test, which recorded 0.606 milligrams per liter. Prosecutors ordered the officer’s arrest and transfer to the Seventh Police Station in San Pedro del Paraná. Forensic doctor Raúl Vega listed hypovolemic shock as the possible cause of death. The body was handed to Acosta’s relatives.

The officer told investigators that the motorcycle had crossed into the opposite lane while trying to avoid a cow on the road. The vehicles then collided head-on.