How Did a 30-Year-Old Woman Die in a Rollover on Route 237 Near Villa El Chocón, Argentina?

Key facts

• What: Fatal single-vehicle rollover
• Where: National Route 237, km 1302, Cañadón Escondido, about 9 km from Villa El Chocón, Neuquén, Argentina
• When: Friday, 11 September 2026, around 3:30pm local time
• Confirmed toll: 1 dead, 3 injured
• Source: LM Neuquén, via Neuquén provincial police

What happened

A 30-year-old woman from Allen, Río Negro, died on Friday, 11 September 2026, when the white Renault Fluence she was driving rolled over on National Route 237 near Villa El Chocón, in Argentina's Neuquén province.

The crash happened at around 3:30pm at kilometre 1302, in the area known as Cañadón Escondido — about 9 kilometres from Villa El Chocón, in the direction of Picún Leufú. According to provincial police, the driver bit the road shoulder while travelling through a stretch with two consecutive curves, lost control, and the vehicle rolled at least twice before coming to rest at the side of the road.

The woman died at the scene from a severe head injury.

The other occupants

Three other family members were travelling in the car. The woman's father was taken to the hospital in Villa El Chocón, and her mother was taken to a medical centre in Cutral Co for treatment. A 2-year-old child, who was travelling in a baby seat with a seatbelt fastened, was unharmed. Police confirmed that all occupants had their seatbelts on.

The family had been travelling from Chile and was heading home to Allen.

Investigation

Authorities are examining the circumstances of the rollover. One line of inquiry is whether the vehicle was travelling at high speed. Investigators also noted that the road shoulder in that sector sits 10 to 15 centimetres below the road surface — a drop that can destabilise a vehicle at speed. Firefighters from Villa El Chocón and Neuquén traffic police worked at the scene.

Road context

National Route 237 crosses northern Patagonia, linking the Neuquén valley with the Andean tourist corridor. Long, fast two-lane stretches with sudden curves are a known risk on the route, and police regularly warn drivers to keep their speed down and stay on the paved surface.

Frequently asked questions

### Where did the crash happen? On National Route 237 at kilometre 1302, in the Cañadón Escondido area, about 9 kilometres from Villa El Chocón towards Picún Leufú, in Neuquén province, Argentina.

When did the crash occur?

On Friday, 11 September 2026, at around 3:30pm local time.

Who died?

A 30-year-old woman from Allen, Río Negro, who was driving the car. She died at the scene from a severe head injury.

Were there other injuries?

Yes. Her father was hospitalised in Villa El Chocón and her mother was taken to a medical centre in Cutral Co. A 2-year-old child travelling in a baby seat was unhurt.

What caused the rollover?

According to provincial police, the driver bit the road shoulder on a stretch with two consecutive curves and lost control. Investigators are also considering speed as a possible factor, and noted a 10–15 cm drop between the shoulder and the road surface.