Fatal Shuttle Crash in Dominican Republic Claims Two Canadian Lives
Santo Domingo, Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Two Canadians died and 13 were injured after their hotel shuttle crashed Sunday in the Dominican Republic, a nation noted by the WHO for high traffic fatality rates.
Incident Details and Casualties
The tragic incident took place on the evening of Sunday, March 1, 2026, when a bus transporting tourists from Punta Cana International Airport to their hotels veered off the road near Cumayasa, approximately 100 kilometers west of Punta Cana [3][5]. The shuttle, operated by NexusTours—a third-party provider for Sunwing Vacations—was carrying guests to the Juan Dolio area when it slid across the highway in the La Romana province [2][4]. Local authorities and the Dominican Republic’s National Health Service confirmed that the crash resulted in two fatalities and injuries to 13 other passengers, consisting of eight men and five women between the ages of 37 and 72 [4][5]. While early local media reports suggested the injury count could be as high as 19, official updates focused on the 13 individuals receiving care, with two passengers requiring transfer to a specialized trauma hospital [3][4].
Families Seek Answers
Among the victims were a couple from Manitoba, John and Colleen Fullerton, who were traveling to celebrate their retirement [5]. Colleen Fullerton, 67, was identified as one of the deceased, while her husband John, 70, remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit awaiting spinal surgery [5]. The situation has left the family in a state of distress regarding the flow of information; their daughters, Amanda and Brittany, expressed frustration over having to “dig and claw” for updates regarding their parents’ condition rather than receiving proactive communication from the tour operators [5]. The Selkirk RCMP confirmed Colleen’s passing on Monday, March 2, and family members are now arranging travel to the Dominican Republic to support John [5].
Near-Misses and Safety Concerns
The accident has highlighted the unpredictability of travel logistics in the region. Leigh Whiting, a 52-year-old tourist from Georgetown, Ontario, narrowly avoided the fatal crash after opting for a private van at the last minute to avoid the multiple stops associated with the shuttle service [2]. Whiting described the drive from the airport as “nerve-racking,” noting visible infrastructure issues such as holes in the roadside guardrails [2]. Upon learning that the bus she was originally scheduled to board had crashed, Whiting expressed horror, particularly regarding the welfare of children she feared might have been on board, though authorities have not confirmed the presence of minors among the casualties [2].
Corporate Response and Regional Context
Sunwing Vacations, which is part of the WestJet Group, issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming that they are coordinating with NexusTours and local officials [2][4]. The company has agreed to cover all medical, burial, and travel costs associated with the accident [5]. This event draws attention to broader safety concerns in the region; the World Health Organization has previously noted that the Dominican Republic has one of the highest traffic fatality rates globally [2]. Global Affairs Canada is currently providing consular assistance to the affected citizens, though they have restricted the release of further details to protect privacy [2][3].