A peculiar accident unfolded on Tuesday in Havana, as a tanker truck collided with a small car, crushed a motorcycle, and finally slammed into a masonry pole in Central Havana. Remarkably, despite the dramatic nature of the crash and the circulated images, reports on social media indicate that only material damage occurred.
"At the intersection of Oquendo and Sitio in Central Havana. From what I heard, the tanker truck was parked and experienced issues with its emergency brake, causing it to roll into a small car, a motorcycle, and the electric pole," shared a user in the Facebook group Accidents Buses & Trucks. Additional comments confirmed, "There were no injuries, only material damage."
The administrator of the Facebook group Automobile Accidents in Cuba stated, "The driver is fully responsible." Images reveal a Chinese-made truck—allegedly no more than two years in use—suffering front-end damage after hitting the pole. However, the motorcycle bore the brunt, seemingly parked and ending up entirely beneath the truck's front wheels. Photos show the small car sustained rear-end damage.
Public Reaction and Driver Responsibility
The incident ignited widespread discussion online, where many Cubans, acting as amateur traffic analysts, evaluated the situation based on local traffic laws and best practices for handling such vehicles. While some defended the driver, citing potential personal stress, the consensus was that the accident was avoidable, regardless of any technical malfunctions.
"Personal issues don't excuse negligence. If every Cuban worked while distracted by their problems, we'd be extinct. Respect your fellow professionals," argued a driver countering the stress defense. Others criticized tanker drivers, accusing them of arrogance on the road. "Typical, they're always in a rush, thinking they own the streets," commented another, referencing a notorious blue V8 tanker known for its reckless speed.
Analyzing the Accident's Avoidability
Several commentators suggested preventive measures the driver could have taken, such as engaging a gear and turning the wheels toward the curb to prevent movement. "Don't start with 'this can happen to anyone.' It's a new truck. Until mistakes like this are financially or criminally punished, they won't stop," one user noted.
Another chimed in, "If you really drive, you know there are plenty of ways to park a truck without relying on the emergency brake. Don't defend the indefensible." The discussion touched on themes of inexperience, human error, and negligence.
Importantly, there were no injuries or fatalities. "Regarding the truck's damage, the driver will likely cover the costs, just like those of us who drive state-owned vehicles in this country where state companies offer minimal support," a woman concluded.
As of this report's closure, no further details about the accident have been disclosed. Cuban authorities reported a decrease in incidents during the first half of 2024, with 543 fewer accidents compared to the same period in the previous year. On the official Mesa Redonda TV program, Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Transit Organ of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), noted 81 fewer fatalities (23%) and a reduction of 151 injuries (5%) between January and June compared to the same timeframe in 2023.