A 30-year-old driver was charged with quadruple aggravated homicide after ramming a stopped family vehicle on National Route 22 in Río Negro, causing four deaths. Axel Araneda was driving drunk at over 170 km/h and was placed under preventive detention for four months. The prosecution holds him solely responsible for the crash.
The crash took place at kilometer 1203 on National Route 22, between Fernández Oro and Allen, in Río Negro province. Axel Araneda, 30, known as 'Chinito', was driving a Volkswagen Amarok when he rear-ended a stopped Ford EcoSport, dragging it over 37 meters and causing it to burst into flames immediately. The victims were Liliana Cocuzza, 60, a doctor in Catriel; her daughter Karina Gutiérrez Cocuzza, 32; and granddaughters aged 6 and 4, who died from smoke inhalation per preliminary forensics.
Araneda, who sustained minor injuries and was briefly hospitalized, had a blood alcohol level between 0.78 and 1.09 g/l, according to a forensic doctor. Prosecutors detailed his reckless driving: under the influence of intoxicants, using his phone moments before, and at over 170 km/h. He had prior criminal record: convicted in 2019 for possession of narcotics for distribution with family members, and on conditional release since 2022.
In the charge formulation hearing, held two days after the incident on November 23, 2025, Guarantees Judge Claudia Lemunao ordered preventive detention for four months pending investigation. The prosecution argued his actions were the sole cause, despite the victims' vehicle being stopped on the left lane, as other cars avoided it. The defense tried to shift partial blame to the family but was overruled.
The probe includes freezing his social media profile, where he posted a selfie driving without plates minutes prior, showing a Rolex watch, gold chain, and defiant gesture. Economic reports and security footage from an Allen bar, where he was between 3 and 5 a.m., were also requested.