A Family’s Journey to a Grandfather’s Funeral Ended in a Heartbreaking Tragedy in Brazil

A family journey that began as an attempt to say goodbye to a beloved grandfather ended in a heartbreaking tragedy in Brazil. On Monday, September 7, 2026, Antônio Pedro Zardin Filho, 42, was traveling with his two daughters, Maria Fernanda, 15, and Maria Carolina, 11, and the family dog, Lola, when their Ford Ranger was involved in a serious collision on the BR-163 highway near São Gabriel do Oeste, in Mato Grosso do Sul. All three family members and Lola died in the crash. Brazilian news outlets reported that the family had been traveling from Sinop, in Mato Grosso, toward Campo Grande to attend the funeral of the girls’ grandfather. (Veja Folha)

The collision happened at approximately 8:40 a.m. near kilometer 624–626 of BR-163. According to reports citing the Federal Highway Police and the highway concessionaire, the family’s pickup collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. Antônio and Maria Fernanda died at the scene, while Maria Carolina was rescued and taken for medical treatment but later died. Lola, the family’s Fox Paulistinha dog, was also inside the vehicle and did not survive. Authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances that led to the collision. (GP1)

The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 47-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was taken to Santa Casa Hospital in Campo Grande for medical care. Reports citing the Federal Highway Police said that he underwent a breath test, which did not indicate alcohol consumption. The investigation into what happened on the highway remains ongoing. (GP1)

A Journey That Was Supposed to Be About Saying Goodbye

The family had left Sinop on Sunday, September 6, heading toward Campo Grande. Their destination was the funeral of Arcenio Marcionilio Machinski, the grandfather of Maria Fernanda and Maria Carolina and Antônio’s father-in-law.

Instead of reaching the funeral, the family became the subject of another devastating farewell.

According to relatives, the family had already experienced an extremely difficult period. Antônio’s wife and the girls’ mother died in January 2025 after being diagnosed with cancer. Following her death, Antônio became responsible for raising Maria Fernanda and Maria Carolina.

The family eventually moved to Sinop, where Antônio found work as an agricultural engineer. Relatives described him as a deeply devoted father who was closely involved in his daughters’ lives, including their health and education. His cousin Peter Fleitas reportedly described him as a “super dad” and emphasized how close Antônio was to the two girls. (TV Sobrinho)

That background has made the latest tragedy particularly painful for relatives and friends. Antônio had already faced the loss of his wife, and he had taken on the responsibility of raising his daughters. The three were described by relatives as a very close family.

A Mechanical Problem Before the Final Leg of the Trip

Family members also provided details about the journey before the collision.

According to Peter Fleitas, Antônio experienced a mechanical problem with the vehicle during the trip. Because of the issue, he reportedly stopped in Sonora and spent the night there before continuing toward Campo Grande the following morning.

The family then continued south along BR-163.

The collision occurred near São Gabriel do Oeste, cutting short the journey that had begun with the intention of attending a family funeral. Relatives were informed about the crash while the funeral of the girls’ grandfather was taking place in Campo Grande, adding another layer of grief to an already painful day. (TV Sobrinho)

Authorities have not publicly established that the earlier mechanical problem caused the collision. It has been reported as part of the family’s account of the journey, while the official circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. (Terra)

Lola Was Remembered as Part of the Family

One of the most emotional parts of the story came after the crash.

Lola, the family’s small Fox Paulistinha dog, was traveling with Antônio and his daughters. She also died in the collision.

When relatives prepared for the funeral in Bela Vista, they made the decision that Lola should not be separated from the family during their final farewell.

Antônio, Maria Fernanda, Maria Carolina and Lola were therefore remembered together at the Capela da Pax Sudoeste in Bela Vista on Tuesday, September 8.

A small special coffin was prepared for Lola and placed in the same room as the coffins of Antônio and his daughters. The arrangement was authorized by the family and reflected how important the dog had been to their household. (Campo Grande News)

Photos published by Brazilian news organizations showed the family being remembered side by side. The unusual but deeply personal farewell touched relatives, friends and people who learned about the story through local media.

The decision was not simply about the dog being a pet. For the family, Lola was part of their daily life and their shared memories. Relatives said she was particularly close to Antônio, making it important to include her in the family’s final farewell. (https://newscuiaba.com.br)

A Community Came Together in Bela Vista

The funeral brought relatives and friends together in Bela Vista, where the family had connections. On Wednesday, September 9, a procession accompanied Antônio, Maria Fernanda and Maria Carolina to their burial.

Reports described a line of vehicles following the procession through the city as friends and relatives gathered to pay their respects.

Lola was also included in the farewell before her later cremation in Campo Grande. A report published after the funeral said the cremation service was donated to the family by Pet Pax. (MS News)

The family’s story has resonated because of the sequence of events surrounding the journey. They were traveling to a funeral to say goodbye to one loved one, only to become victims of another devastating family loss along the way.

For those who knew Antônio and his daughters, the tragedy represents not only a highway collision but the sudden disappearance of a closely connected family.

A Family Remembered Together

The deaths of Antônio, Maria Fernanda and Maria Carolina have left friends, relatives and members of their community mourning three lives that were closely connected.

Maria Fernanda was 15, while her younger sister Maria Carolina was 11. Their father had taken on the role of caring for them after their mother’s death in early 2025.

Their final journey was supposed to bring them to Campo Grande for a family farewell. Instead, it became the beginning of another farewell that their relatives never expected to face.

The inclusion of Lola in the funeral also became a powerful symbol of the family’s bond. With a special place beside Antônio and the girls, the dog remained part of their final family gathering.

The authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the BR-163 collision. For the family, however, the investigation is only one part of a much larger story—one involving years of family love, difficult losses, responsibility, and a journey that was intended to bring them together with relatives during a moment of remembrance.

In Bela Vista, Antônio, Maria Fernanda, Maria Carolina and Lola were ultimately remembered together, reflecting the closeness that had defined their lives.

The story has been reported by Brazilian outlets including Campo Grande News, Estado de Minas, Terra Brasil, and GZH / Zero Hora. (Campo Grande News)