I’ve seen this story circulating other blogs in the past day or two. The “urban legend comes to life” type of story. A girl is murdered on a desolate highway and drivers report seeing her, dressed in white, walking along the roadside. This is not just a common urban legend in the Americas, but you can find a similar story like this in almost all other countries around the world.
This story caught my attention because of two main reasons. First, the media is spinning it as a “ghost girl” that appears on some highway in Mexico and causes accidents. Second, I know exactly where this highway is located.
I grew up in Guadalajara in the mid-late 80s and have visited the city ever since. The video in question talks about a stretch of highway named “Lazaro Cardenas” (named after a very progressive Mexican president).
The highway is notorious for many deaths, almost on a weekly basis. Ever since I was a kid I can remember hearing about tragic accidents on this highway. What makes this highway so dangerous?
The fact that it’s the main highway that connects the bustling city of Guadalajara to the small town of Chapala. Chapala is known for their immense lake (which is now drying up) and their local cuisine. Most people that live in Guadalajara visit Chapala was a weekend getaway.
As a teenager I visited Guadalajara a few times for months on end. My sister and I would stay with a cousin at her house and spend what appeared to be an endless summer having a blast.
On many occasions I can remember a group of us climbing into a car in the late hours of the night and heading down Highway Lazaro Cardenas to continue our drinking nights in Chapala. The town of Chapala takes a very charming and romantic atmosphere when the sun goes down.
Why is this story relevant to the “Highway ghost killer” ?
Statistics for one.
In 2007 55,000 accidents were reported on main highways in Guadalajara. 1,500 of these were fatal accidents. In 2007, 10% of the 55,000 accidents were on the Lazaro Cardenas highway.
Out of that percentage, 27% of these were caused by alcohol intoxicated drivers many of who’s ages range from 18 – 29 years of age.
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source: informador.com.mx Jalisco
It’s obvious that this highway is a dangerous stretch. Many truckers speed down this small lane highway, as well as many party goers. So why do they spin this to be some sort of paranormal effect that causes the drivers to lose control of their vehicles? Why would there be ghosts wondering around a highway causing lethal accidents?
I believe the answer to be just another urban legend getting caught up in the media. No ghosts in Mexico’s highway. No sense in spreading these urban legends like many other blogs do.
