Bernardo Tertuliano Visona, 13 years old, is among five people from the same family in Juiz de Fora who died in an accident on BR-393, in Barra do Piraí (RJ), this Saturday (10). Two-time Brazilian equestrian champion in the five barrel discipline, the teenager started practicing the sport at the age of 3 and was already accumulating titles and trophies in competitions.
His trajectory was the subject of a special report shown by MG1 on September 30th. Watch the video above.
He was traveling with family members from Juiz de Fora to Paraty, also in the state of Rio, when the crash occurred, near Trevo do Matadouro. In addition to him, Anderson Nocelli Clemente, his wife, Jussara Oliveira Tertuliano Clemente, the couple's daughter, Sarah Nocelli, and Marcela Tertuliano, the teenager's aunt, died.
Tributes on social media
The Sports Directorate and the Brazilian Association of Mangalarga Marchador Horse Breeders (ABCCMM) published notes of condolence over Bernardo's death. The teenager participated in the association's youth competitions.
In the publication, friends and people linked to the sport left farewell messages. In the comments, Bernardo was remembered for his education, dedication and joy, as well as his passion for horses. One of the messages described him as a boy who did perfectly what he loved most.
A seventh-year student at Colégio do Carmo, in Juiz de Fora, Bernardo also received a tribute from the institution, which published a note of condolence. In the comments of the publication, people remembered the teenager as a happy child with a wonderful family.
Passion for horses began at age 3
Photo by Bernardo Tertuliano Visona published in honor of ABCCMM — Photo: Brazilian Association of Mangalarga Marchador Horse Breeders/Disclosure
Bernardo's career in sport was the subject of a special report shown by MG1, on TV Integração, on September 30 of this year. At that time, he already had several awards and impressive results in equestrian events.
In addition to winning his second Brazilian championship in the five-barrel event, the teenager won second place in a horse driving test and accumulated trophies from competitions in which he was among the first placed.
His interest in animals began when he was just 3 years old. Over time, curiosity turned into dedication to equestrianism, a sport that requires harmony between rider and horse, precision and speed to complete routes in the shortest possible time.
Even at a young age, Bernardo was already building a career marked by achievements on the track and his bond with animals.
The accident
Anderson, his wife Jussara and their daughter Sarah; Marcela and her son, Bernardo Tertuliano — Photo: Social Networks/Reproduction
According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the Juiz de Fora family car was heading towards Volta Redonda (RJ). The truck was traveling in the opposite direction, towards Juiz de Fora (MG).
According to the Fire Department, nine other people were injured. Of these, five refused treatment on site, two were sent to Santa Casa de Barra do Piraí and two others to Hospital Maria de Nazaré, in the same municipality.
According to the Fire Department, the bodies of the Juiz de Fora family were removed from the vehicle and taken to the Legal Medical Institute (IML) in Volta Redonda. The highway was closed in both directions and was reopened at around 11:40 am.
The accident involved four cars and a trailer transporting flooring. Until the publication of this report, there was still no information about the dynamics of the collision.
Traffic on BR-393 is released after an accident that killed five people, in Barra do Piraí — Photo: Divulgação/Redes Sociais
