The Masó Tillar family is enduring the worst of tragedies: three of its members died following the road accident that occurred on Sunday night in Maipú, Mendoza.
A chain of grief that doesn't stop
Ariadna Tillar, 54, a graphic designer, remained hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Perrupato Hospital in San Martín with a critical condition that worsened in recent hours. Finally, she passed away on Tuesday, August 18, at night, becoming the fourth fatal victim of the tragic accident.
With her death, the family lost three of its members in less than 48 hours: her daughters Juana Masó Tillar, 21, and Rosario Masó Tillar, 19, had died on Monday at the Central Hospital of Mendoza.
How the accident happened
The crash occurred at approximately 8:30 PM on Sunday, August 16, on Provincial Route 60, at the height of Callejón Piperbo, in the Fray Luis Beltrán area, Maipú. According to initial investigations and witness testimonies, the Volkswagen T-Cross truck in which the family was traveling attempted an overtaking maneuver and collided head-on with a Peugeot 504.
- Oscar Aníbal “Chacha” Fernández Mercau, 48, driver of the Peugeot 504, an amateur football referee from the East zone of Maipú. He died while being transferred to the Central Hospital.
- Juana Masó Tillar, 21, died on Monday at 5:44 PM due to cardiorespiratory arrest.
- Rosario Masó Tillar, 19, died on Monday around 8:00 PM after brain death was confirmed.
- Ariadna Tillar, 54, mother of the two sisters, died on Tuesday night at the Perrupato Hospital.
Who were the Masó Tillar sisters
Juana was studying Industrial Engineering at the University of Mendoza and had graduated from Colegio San Luis Gonzaga in the class of 2023. Rosario was pursuing Psychology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), Mendoza campus, and graduated from the same school in the class of 2025.
Both lived in Chacras de Coria, a town in the department of Luján de Cuyo, and were originally from Carrodilla.
“My two angels”: the heartbreaking message from their father
The father of the young women, Andrés Masó, bid them farewell with a moving message on his social media. Alongside a series of family photographs, he wrote: “My two angels, Rosario and Juana. Thank you for every smile, every hug, and every wonderful moment we shared together”. He added: “These memories will remain forever in my heart. I love you eternally. Dad”.
Juana’s close friend, Rosario Pérez, also dedicated a heartfelt letter to her: “I never thought I would have to say goodbye to you. You were and always will be my best friend and my company. You taught me how beautiful a friendship can be, you taught me everything except how to let you go”.
The grief of educational institutions
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Mendoza expressed its sorrow over Juana’s death, while the UCA Mendoza Campus accompanied Rosario’s family: “We raise our prayers in the face of such deep pain and ask for her eternal rest”. The Colegio San Luis Gonzaga also spoke out: “With deep sorrow we accompany the family and friends of Juana and Rosario Masó, former students of our School”.
The injured who remain hospitalized
| Person | Age | Condition | Hospital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martín Omar Tillar (driver of the T-Cross) | 52 | Serious, reserved prognosis | Lagomaggiore |
| Florencia Bettalemmi | 42 | Favorable evolution, out of danger | El Carmen |
The investigation is led by Traffic Prosecutor Mariana Gutiérrez, who seeks to determine the mechanics of the impact and responsibilities. Expert inspections were carried out at the scene, and witness testimonies were incorporated to reconstruct the minutes before the crash.
The Colegio San Luis Gonzaga remembered the young women alongside their classmates from the classes of 2023 and 2025. The community of Maipú and all of Mendoza united in grief over this tragedy that has plunged three families into mourning in a single event.
Sources: TN, Infobae, La Nación, El Sol de Mendoza