POPAYÁN, Colombia — A monster truck crashed into spectators during a vehicle exhibition in Popayán, Colombia, killing at least three people and injuring about 38 others, authorities and local reports said, May 3, 2026. The vehicle appeared to lose control during a stunt at the Boulevard Rose sector before leaving the performance area and striking members of the crowd.
Early reports placed the toll at two dead and 37 injured, but later updates from Colombian and international outlets said the preliminary count had risen to three deaths and at least 38 injuries. Reuters reported that regional officials confirmed the crash after videos circulated online showing the truck clearing an obstacle before failing to stop in time.
What happened in the Monster Truck Popayán crash?
The crash happened during the “Monster Truck 2026” exhibition in the Cauca department capital, where families had gathered to watch modified trucks perform stunts. According to Infobae’s report from EFE, the driver lost control of a large monster truck and ran into spectators during the show.
Local media said the vehicle had just completed or attempted a maneuver when it accelerated toward the crowd. El País of Cali reported that Cauca Gov. Octavio Guzmán expressed condolences after the accident and said health officials were coordinating care for the injured.
Emergency crews respond after Monster Truck Popayán accident
Emergency workers, firefighters, Civil Defense and the Red Cross responded to the scene as victims were taken to hospitals and clinics in Popayán. Lt. Francisco Arboleda, commander of the Popayán Volunteer Fire Department, said firefighters responded with ambulance and fire engine capacity, along with Civil Defense and the Red Cross, according to Xinhua’s Spanish-language report.
Authorities were investigating whether a mechanical problem contributed to the crash. Semana reported that Popayán Mayor Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo said the city was seeking a rigorous investigation to clarify what happened “with total responsibility and transparency.”
Earlier monster truck accidents show recurring safety concerns
The Popayán crash adds to a history of rare but severe monster truck accidents involving spectators. In 2007, CBS News reported that nine people were injured when a monster truck veered into a crowd during a stunt in DeKalb, Illinois.
Two years later, another tragedy struck when debris flew into the stands at a Washington state monster truck show, killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring another spectator, according to a 2009 CBS News report. In 2013, an out-of-control monster truck killed eight people and injured dozens at an air show in Chihuahua, Mexico, The Christian Science Monitor reported.
More recently, a lobster-themed monster truck called Crushstation clipped a power line during a 2024 show in Maine, bringing down utility poles and injuring spectators, according to The Associated Press. Police later said no criminal charges would be filed in that case.
Officials continue investigation into deadly Popayán crash
The Popayán investigation is expected to examine the event’s safety layout, crowd-control measures, vehicle condition and emergency response. Officials had not announced a final cause by early Monday, and the casualty count remained preliminary.
The crash has prompted renewed questions about how high-risk vehicle exhibitions are organized, particularly when large crowds stand close to performance areas. For families in Popayán, what began as a public entertainment event ended as one of the city’s deadliest recent crowd accidents.
