On Tuesday, an accident in Havana's El Vedado neighborhood, where a modern car collided with a vintage almendrón at the intersection of G and 17, was caught on security cameras in the area. A video shared in the Facebook group ‘Accidentes Buses & Camiones’ showed the exact moment of the crash and the imminent danger it posed to pedestrians in the bustling area of the Cuban capital.
In addition to the minor head injuries sustained by one of the involved drivers, the incident nearly resulted in severe injuries to several pedestrians walking nearby. One pedestrian was actually struck by the almendrón at the time of the collision. Hit from the side by the modern car, the 1950s vehicle flipped onto its side and slid several meters in that position.
A man approaching the intersection was hit by the almendrón and was thrown against the fence of a building, knocking it down due to the force of the impact. The presence of an electric pole, which the almendrón crashed into, prevented the situation from being even worse.
Two other people—a young man and an elderly woman—narrowly escaped being hit by the modern car but were uninjured and rushed to assist the victims. A crowd quickly gathered at the scene to help the injured, managing to flip the almendrón back to its normal position. Two individuals pulled the driver out of the vehicle and placed him in another car, seemingly unconscious.
The modern car, whose make and model could not be identified, was traveling along Avenida de los Presidentes (G), while the almendrón was on 17th Street. Witnesses noted that the traffic light at the dangerous intersection was not functioning.
“Folks, this happened right in front of me. The traffic light was out, and although G Street had the right of way, the green MINREX car was coming down the street, and the green almendrón was crossing,” one witness said. “The almendrón passed me at a good speed.”
Security camera data indicated the accident occurred on Tuesday, May 28, at 11:23 AM. As of this writing, details about the condition of the almendrón’s driver and the pedestrian struck remain unknown.
Key Details about the Havana Car Crash
The following questions and answers provide additional information on the recent car accident in Havana, highlighting important aspects and concerns.
What happened during the car crash in El Vedado?
A modern car collided with a vintage almendrón at the intersection of G and 17, causing the almendrón to flip and nearly injuring several pedestrians.
Were there any injuries reported?
One driver sustained minor head injuries, and a pedestrian was struck by the almendrón and thrown against a fence. The condition of the pedestrian and the driver of the almendrón is currently unknown.
What were the contributing factors to the accident?
Witnesses noted that the traffic light at the intersection was not functioning, and there was confusion about the right of way between the vehicles.