A severe crash involving three motorcycles took place on Wednesday night along Trocha Street in Santiago de Cuba, resulting in critical injuries for the riders involved. The collision occurred near the 12-story building, sending the motorcyclists flying and leaving them sprawled on the road.
A video shared on social media by journalist Yosmany Mayeta highlighted the severity of the incident. The footage showed two of the motorcycles tightly wedged together on the asphalt, severely damaged, while a third was pushed onto what appeared to be the sidewalk due to the impact.
At the time of the accident, there seemed to be a lack of street lighting. Witnesses at the scene acted swiftly, transporting the injured to local hospitals. Although the exact number of casualties is unclear, it is believed that only the three riders were injured.
Condition of the Injured
The most seriously injured is Iván Darían Martínez Reyes, a resident of Altamira near the former mattress factory, now known as the Construction Materials Point. Reports indicate that Martínez Reyes suffered severe head injuries and underwent surgery. Family and friends are requesting prayers for his recovery.
As of the last update, the identities of the other injured riders have not been disclosed, and the cause of the accident remains unknown. Some locals speculated that the crash might have been linked to an unofficial motorcycle race, but this has not been confirmed.
Community Reactions
Many online users have noted the unusual nature of three motorcycles colliding, with some suggesting reckless racing might be to blame. "Unfortunately, I live very close by and heard one of those bikes speeding past my kitchen before the crash. I started praying and crying instead of looking," a neighbor shared. "Please, stop speeding and risking your lives. Families are being torn apart," another urged.
One commenter remarked, "Motorcyclists are causing chaos in Santiago de Cuba, racing and endangering both their lives and those of pedestrians. The lack of governance is evident with no control over anything." However, others pointed to the frequent power outages affecting traffic lights as a significant factor contributing to the rising number of accidents in the area.
Following this triple collision, Yosmany Mayeta also reported another accident involving a motorcycle, highlighting the ongoing issue of road safety in the province.