A dramatic collision occurred around 6 PM this past Friday on the Pinar del Río Highway, involving a Lada and a truck. The Russian-made car was left severely damaged. Remarkably, despite the wreckage, several online users have confirmed that there were no injuries. The driver of the Lada was alone in the vehicle, and an individual claiming to know him mentioned that he is the one seen wearing an orange shirt in one of the photos shared in the Facebook group "Accidents Buses & Camiones."
"I called him. He's fine. He's the one in the photo with the orange shirt. He wasn't with anyone. Only the damage you see in the picture. Thank God there were no personal injuries," wrote Damián Sieres in the mentioned group.
He further commented, "He's my friend from San Juan, Pinar del Río. It's a shame. It was the best car in the province, and now it's destroyed. It was a car that had it all, nothing to envy from a modern one."
The Aftermath and Speculation
Other users speculated that the vehicle might have come from the airport, judging by the numerous packages visible in the car's back seats. The reasons behind the crash remain unknown. The yellow truck involved suffered significantly less damage compared to the Russian vehicle.
Some described the incident as a "multiple collision," noting that when traffic suddenly slowed down due to the accident, a classic car rear-ended a tourist rental car, pushing it onto a trailer, causing severe damage to the rental.
"I was driving my car and quickly moved forward, fearing someone might hit me from behind. Just as I moved, I felt a jolt behind me. I got out to see what happened, and there were two small girls in the rental that the classic car had pushed under the trailer in front of it. Fortunately, none of the passengers were harmed," recounted a commenter.
Ongoing Investigation
The cause of the accident between the Lada and the truck has not been disclosed. Some suspect that excessive speed by the Lada might have played a role, while others blame the truck driver directly. The incident took place near the entrance to Los Pocitos in La Lisa, according to a witness.
Accidents continue to be a persistent issue on Cuban roads. Although updated statistics are not available, in early July, Cuban authorities reported 543 fewer incidents in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. During the government-run TV program "Mesa Redonda," Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Traffic Division of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), also noted a decrease of 81 fatalities (23%) and 151 injuries (5%) from January to June this year, compared to 2023.
Common Questions About Traffic Incidents in Cuba
What caused the accident on Pinar del Río Highway?
The exact cause of the accident is still unknown, but some speculate it could have been due to excessive speed by the Lada or the fault of the truck driver.
Were there any injuries in the accident?
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries despite the severe damage to the vehicles involved.
How frequent are traffic accidents in Cuba?
Traffic accidents are a common issue in Cuba, although the first half of 2024 saw a decrease in incidents and fatalities compared to the previous year.