São Paulo police say the house DJ fled a traffic stop and struck a man sleeping beneath an elevated subway line. He has been charged — not convicted — and the case is ongoing.
By Theon — The Superfan, CelebnMusic247
A Brazilian DJ known to house-music crowds around the world is facing a homicide charge in São Paulo. Daniel Santana de Jesus, 44, who performs as Dani Brasil, was arrested on Friday, October 9, after what police describe as a refused traffic stop turned fatal, according to local media reports cited by EDM.com.
Per that reporting, officers attempted to stop Santana de Jesus’s BMW in the Santo Amaro neighborhood. He allegedly refused their orders and fled, driving against traffic, before striking Carlos Alberto Minotti, 57, who was sleeping beneath an elevated subway line. Minotti became trapped beneath the vehicle and was dragged roughly 1,300 feet before the car struck a gymnasium wall. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.
Santana de Jesus was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the crash, with a reported blood alcohol level equivalent to approximately 0.15% in U.S. terms. He also acknowledged consuming alcohol alongside zolpidem, a prescription sleeping medication, before driving, according to Brazilian news outlet G1.
His lawyers have offered investigators a different account of that night. They told investigators he had been struggling with the recent death of his Yorkshire terrier, Scott — a dog he mourned in an Instagram post on August 27 — and they claim he was experiencing a panic attack when the crash occurred and has no recollection of the events. Those claims have not been tested in court.
The arrest is a jarring turn for a working international DJ. Best known for his remixing work, Santana de Jesus produces house music and, according to his website, has performed in more than 20 countries — including club dates in Miami, New York City, Boston and Chicago in January, and a high-profile set at Amsterdam’s World Pride Music Festival in July.
Santana de Jesus has been placed in pretrial detention and faces charges of driving under the influence, disobeying police orders and homicide. The charges are allegations, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain subject to the ongoing criminal proceedings.
The 247 Take — There is no version of this story that is not heartbreaking. Carlos Alberto Minotti, 57, was asleep when his life ended, and a DJ with a career most producers dream of now sits in pretrial detention. What happened on that road is for a courtroom to establish — we will report what the proceedings prove, and nothing beyond it.
More music news at CelebnMusic247.com.
Sources: EDM.com
