The driver of the Prado that killed a 28-year-old mother and severely injured her four-year-daughter following a head-on collision on the Bridge of the Americas on Saturday, May 5  is under police watch in a private hospital.

An arrest warrant was issued following impaired driving tests.  The Public Ministry reported that the order was made by the Homicide Section of the Metropolitan Area, under prosecutor Rafael Baloyes, who has appealed for any witnesses to call his office.

The man, suspected of impaired driving was heading into town on Saturday evening when he veered into the oncoming lane, hitting a sedan whose driver died on the spot. Her daughter is in Hospital del Nino.

Civil organizations linked to road safety are calling for tougher penalties for impaired drivers and for the next government to create a comprehensive strategy to reduce Panama’s road carnage.

Over  440 people died on the country’s highways last year, and hundreds more were hospitalized, with inattention (use of cell phones ) and alcohol leading causes.