Ruta 32, The "Highway Of Death"
• Route has recorded 23 deaths so far this year

In less than fourteen weeks of this year, 23 people have died on the Ruta 32 - the San José - Limón road that weaves through the Braulio Carrillo, making it the most dangerous road in the country.

The latest mortal accident occurred on Wednesday when a couple, headed for San José, lost control of his vehicle, crossing the median and slamming head on into a oncoming fully loaded tractor trailer. The impact resulted in the small vehicle encrusting itself into the larger vehicle's front end.

A passing by Cruz Roja ambulance was immediately at the scene, but nothing could be done for the married couple trapped inside the vehicle.

Transito (traffic) authorities are blaming the accident on speeding and wet road conditions, a light drizzle that is common in the area.

The Ruta 32 has become known as "carretera de la muerte" (highway of death), for on average more than one person dying on this road per week.

According to authorities the major number of fatalities is of pedestrians being run over and that more than half of the fatal accidents occurring between San Luis de Santo Domingo de Heredia and Guapiles, a section of road that weaves through the Braulio Carrillo national park, a mountainous road that is subject to constant drizzle and fog.

And, the majority of the fatal accidents have involved large trucks, as this is the main route between San José and the Puerto de Limón on the Caribbean coast.