Promising 13-year-old Brazilian footballer Felipe Siqueira Barbosa de Barros has died following a rollover car crash on a highway in Brazil, according to news outlet Need To Know.
The young athlete was a rising star for Mauá FC, a professional football club based in the municipality of Mauá within the state of São Paulo. Barros was traveling in a vehicle driven by his father near the municipality of Santa Rita do Passa Quatro on August 23 when the car suddenly lost control and flipped over while in motion.
Barros and his 17-year-old sister both died from injuries sustained in the rollover. The player's mother and female cousin were rushed to a nearby hospital in serious condition, while his father survived with minor injuries.
Investigation into the highway crash
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fatal crash, which currently remains unexplained. According to an eyewitness at the scene, the family's car lost control without any external interference or collision from other vehicles.
Subsequent medical evaluations confirmed that no traces of alcohol were found in the father's blood system at the time of the incident.
Youth career and team leadership
Barros had established himself as a core talent for Mauá FC, featuring in the starting lineup for every single youth squad match throughout the current season. Before joining the Mauá outfit, the young midfielder served as club captain for Esporte Clube União Suzano, a team based in the neighboring municipality of Suzano in São Paulo state.
Fatal crashes involving young South American players
The accident comes after a separate fatal highway crash reported in Argentina involving a 20-year-old footballer. That player, who represented Atlético y Sociedad Argentinos del Norte in the city of General Roca, died after his vehicle collided with a utility pole along a highway.
