A 45-YEAR-OLD woman from Monchique died last weekend in a fatal crash on the Via do Infante (A22), between Albufeira and Boliqueime. The lady had been driving in the wrong direction, resulting in a head on collision with a car travelling in the opposite direction (Portimão-Faro).
Maria Teresa Martins entered the A22 at Boliqueime, driving towards the oncoming traffic, eight kilometres before the scene of the accident. The exact details are yet to be confirmed, however, an inquiry has been launched by the traffic police.
Her red Peugeot 106 was completely destroyed in the violent accident and it is thought she died immediately. However, the other driver, a 30-year-old man, was lucky, escaping with just minor injuries.
A classroom assistant at the Escola EB 2,3 of Monchique, Maria Teresa Martins was married, with two sons, one of 17 and another of 25. According to statements made by friends, she had recently been experiencing health problems and had been showing signs of stress and emotional instability.
Traffic on the Via do Infante in the direction of Albufeira-Loulé was affected for around two hours, while the two vehicles involved in the crash were removed. During this time, only one lane was open for use. Albufeira bombeiros sent an ambulance and two support vehicles to the scene, and four GNR patrol cars were also present.
Alert was made too late
A motorist had apparently dialled 112 at around 3pm to warn that a vehicle was travelling in the wrong direction on the A22. The traffic police immediately sent a patrol car to the location reported, but, at 3.10pm, the accident occurred – there had not been enough time for them to thwart the tragic turn of events.
