Santiago.- The New Year’s celebration ended in tragedy for a family in Santiago Oeste, after a young mother and her one-year-old daughter died following a traffic accident that occurred in the early hours of this Thursday, January 1, 2026.
The victims were identified as Katherine Francisca, 26 years old, and her daughter Joheri Francisca, who were traveling with other relatives when the vehicle they were in was hit from behind by a truck, near the Fuente de Luz cemetery, in the west side of the city.
According to preliminary information, the family of five was returning to their residence after sharing the New Year’s arrival with family and friends in the Hato Mayor sector, south of Santiago, when the fatal event occurred.
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As a result of the strong impact, mother and daughter lost their lives due to the blows received, while the other occupants of the vehicle were injured.
So far, the authorities have not provided official information on the health condition of the survivors.
The bodies of the deceased were transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) in Santiago for the corresponding legal procedures and subsequently handed over to their families for Christian burial.
It was reported that Katherine Francisca was from the municipality of Guananico, in the province of Puerto Plata, and resided in the Cienfuegos sector, of the municipal district of Santiago Oeste, a community that is now dismayed by the tragedy.
Neighbors, friends, and acquaintances described the family as having strong religious values, and expressed their sorrow for the event, which occurred in the early days of 2026 and has left mourning and pain throughout the area.
The competent authorities have not offered details about the truck driver or the exact causes of the accident, while the official report from the corresponding agencies is awaited.
