The accident that claimed the life of Martín Copello occurred shortly after the start of the 9-kilometer second special stage of the Rally Coronación de Ojo de Agua, between Arroyo Grande and Ruta 13, department of Ojo de Agua, province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

It happened on Sunday, 30 December 2012 morning. For unknown reasons the Volkswagen Gol 1.6 #40 driven by Rafael Bonacina-Martín Copello, that at the moment was running in 9th position, went out of control and plunged off the road. It somersaulted, coming to rest upside down on a field, and caught fire. Rafael Bonacina managed to escape from his car with relatively minor burns and other injuries. He vainly tried to extricate his co-driver Martín Copello who was strapped in, didn't survive.

Emergency personnel worked for almost two hours to extinguish the fire. Rafael Bonacina was taken to Ojo de Agua hospital and later was transferred to the Hospital Regional "Ramón Carrillo" in Santiago del Estero, where his condition was described as satisfactory and his burns were classified as non-life threatening.

After the tragedy the special stage was immediately stopped and the Rally Coronación de Ojo de Agua was abandoned.

R.I.P