A serious accident unfolded on Monday night in Loma de Tierra, located in the Cotorro municipality of Havana. A police cruiser collided with a car and two motorcycles, resulting in two individuals sustaining severe injuries.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:35 p.m. According to a social media user who shared photos in the Facebook group "Accidentes Buses & Camiones," the officers driving the police vehicle were allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
"The police car was traveling at 80 km/h and first hit a car that was correctly following its path, then it struck two motorcycles that were also in compliance with traffic rules, one behind the other. Yes, there were injuries," stated Reynaldo Gabriel Fereira Prieto in the comments section of his post. He is the person responsible for the images shared on social networks.
The motorcyclists suffered multiple fractures and severe disfigurements. They were taken to the emergency room at Miguel Enríquez Hospital (La Benéfica) in Havana. However, as reported by the news site La Tijera, they have not received adequate medical care due to a lack of beds, swabs, and antibacterial ointments.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta also shared a video on Facebook depicting the alarming severity of the accident scene. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many criticizing the unchecked behavior of police forces in Cuba.
"Who's going to cover the damages now? It stayed like this because they're in charge. If it were the other way around, the drivers would have been jailed," one user remarked. Another added, "Corruption, disrespect, and social disorder are rampant in Cuba. These thugs get drunk and wreck patrol cars worth more than three ambulances."
There are also concerns that the involved officers might not face any consequences: "Hopefully, the patrol driver will be held accountable and not go unpunished for drinking and driving," wrote another user. "We all know they'll now find a way to blame the civilians"; "Do as I say, not as I do. That's our reality," "This is terrible, family. How much longer will we endure this?" were additional comments shared online.
As of now, no official statements have been made regarding the accident.
Recent Traffic Incidents in Cuba
In recent updates, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the Minister of Transportation, stated on Facebook that by the end of January, there were 87 fewer accidents (422 total) and two fewer injuries (552 total) compared to the same timeframe in 2024. However, the number of fatalities increased, reaching 65, which is six more than the equivalent period of 2024.
The most common type of accident remains vehicle collisions, accounting for 260 incidents, with 28 deaths and 226 injuries. Following this are rollovers with 67 accidents, resulting in 13 deaths and 125 injuries, and pedestrian impacts with 66 accidents, 9 fatalities, and 63 injuries.
On average, two pedestrian accidents occur daily in the country, and a person dies every six days from such incidents, primarily in urban areas of Havana, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba.
Additionally, January saw five major accidents, with a toll of 19 fatalities and 173 injured, mostly young adults aged 21 to 35, comprising 30%, and minors under 18, making up 10%.
The minister highlighted that 80% of these accidents happened in rural areas on well-maintained roads and under favorable weather conditions, reinforcing the hypothesis that human error is the primary trigger. Rodríguez stressed that human factors remain the leading cause of accidents in Cuba, with startling statistics: 92% of accidents, 98% of deaths, and 91% of injuries are attributed to this cause.
Key Concerns About Traffic Safety in Cuba
What caused the serious accident in Loma de Tierra?
The accident was caused by a police cruiser colliding with a car and two motorcycles, allegedly while the officers were under the influence of alcohol.
Why are there concerns about the officers involved in the accident?
There are concerns that the officers may not face any consequences for their actions, as there is a perceived lack of accountability within the Cuban police force.
What are the common causes of traffic accidents in Cuba?
Human error is the leading cause, with vehicle collisions being the most frequent type of accident, followed by rollovers and pedestrian impacts.
How have traffic fatalities changed in recent reports?
Despite a reduction in the number of accidents and injuries, fatalities have increased, with 65 deaths reported by the end of January, which is higher than the previous year.