A tragic turn of events led to the untimely death of Rancel Artiles, a 33-year-old Cuban father, in a devastating car accident in Miami-Dade last week after he suffered a heart attack while behind the wheel.
The incident unfolded around 6:10 a.m. on November 20, as Artiles was driving along NW 36th Street near NW 72nd Avenue (Milam Dairy Rd). The heart attack caused him to lose control, resulting in a fatal crash, as reported by Univision journalist Javier Díaz on his social media on Wednesday.
According to local media, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed that Artiles' vehicle collided with another car and then struck a tree. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Artiles leaves behind a 10-year-old son and a sick mother in Cuba, as close family sources disclosed. Having arrived in the United States just four years ago, he was part of the wave of thousands leaving the island in search of a better future for themselves and their loved ones back home, emphasized Díaz in a Facebook post.
Community Effort to Repatriate Rancel Artiles
Friends of Artiles have sought assistance to repatriate his body, as he has no relatives in the U.S. To this end, they initiated a GoFundMe campaign to gather funds to return him to his homeland, allowing his mother, son, and other family members to bid him a final farewell.
"Today, we mourn the loss of Rancel Artiles, our beloved 'El Pincho,' a friend who left a profound impact on each of us," wrote Dorent Durán, the fundraiser organizer from Miami, Florida. He highlighted Artiles' purpose in emigrating to the U.S., noting that "his greatest dream" was to reunite with his mother and son in Cuba, to embrace them and share all he had achieved.
"His unexpected departure has left a significant void among his friends, who cherished him deeply," Durán lamented. "Our sole wish now is to ensure his family can give him the dignified farewell he deserves. We turn to the generosity of those who can contribute to making his return home possible, alongside his loved ones."
So far, the donation campaign has amassed $7,159, reaching 90% of the needed amount to cover funeral costs and transport his body back to Cuba.
Similar Tragedies Unfold
In a related incident last week, another young Cuban father, Diego Murgia Ramos, 23, lost his life in a traffic accident in Virginia. A collision on Interstate 95 claimed his life while he worked tirelessly to support his family in the U.S. Amid their grief, his loved ones sought aid to fund his body's repatriation and provide him with a proper burial.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Tragedies in the U.S.
What caused Rancel Artiles' accident in Miami?
Rancel Artiles suffered a heart attack while driving, leading to a car accident that resulted in his death.
How are friends and family planning to repatriate Rancel Artiles' body?
Friends of Rancel Artiles have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his body’s repatriation to Cuba, allowing his family to give him a final farewell.
Who was Diego Murgia Ramos?
Diego Murgia Ramos was a 23-year-old Cuban father who died in a traffic accident on Interstate 95 in Virginia while working to support his family in the U.S.