The father of 8-year-old Bastián Jerez, seriously injured in a crash in La Frontera, Pinamar, has been charged with culpable injuries. The boy, suffering multiple skull fractures, underwent a successful third surgery, but his prognosis remains reserved in intensive care. Illegal races persist in the area despite the incident.
The crash happened in La Frontera, a dune area in Pinamar, when a UTV presumably driven by Bastián's father collided head-on with another UTV and an Amarok pickup truck. The 8-year-old boy was on his father's lap without a seatbelt, contributing to his severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures and abdominal damage. Bastián Jerez was transferred to the Hospital Provincial Materno Infantil “Victorio Tetamanti” in Mar del Plata, where on January 16, 2026, he underwent a successful third surgery to remove a hepatic packing and close the abdomen. The medical report states he remains in intensive care with a reserved prognosis, evaluated through high-complexity studies. The family has received mental health support since the incident.
The courts charged the father with "culpable injuries," along with the other drivers involved, as responsibilities are determined through expertise. The vehicles—two UTVs and the Amarok—are seized. The boy's mother stated: "Neither Bastian nor his dad were driving," contradicting the initial version that the father was driving. The Amarok driver, a young entrepreneur in the nightlife scene, broke his silence on Instagram: “We are going through a very difficult situation and the only truly important thing right now is the child's health.” He asked for "prudence, respect, and above all, prayers for him and his family".
Days later, on January 17, videos show illegal races continuing in Pinamar, with tourists performing dangerous high-speed maneuvers without protection, as Bastián fights for his life. In related incidents, two UTVs overturned in La Frontera and another crashed in Villa Gesell, leaving a 31-year-old woman with severe spinal trauma and no sensation in her legs.
