A tragic accident near the University of Matanzas (UMCC) on Saturday, November 30th, has left the community in shock. Social media posts have surfaced, alleging a hit-and-run involving a 20-year-old law student. Reports suggest the driver fled the scene, sparking widespread calls for justice online.
According to Lachy Félix Marrero Hernández, a social media user who claimed to have discovered the young woman's body, the incident occurred around 6:35 p.m. as he was returning from work. Marrero Hernández shared his account on the Facebook group 'Automobile Accidents in Cuba,' explaining that he stopped his vehicle after passengers alerted him to a person lying on the road.
Upon approaching, he confirmed that the young woman showed no signs of life. He immediately contacted authorities and waited at the scene until the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services (SIUM) and the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).
In the Facebook group 'City of Matanzas in Photos,' an anonymous participant provided further details about the tragic event. "The girl who was hit near the University of Matanzas bus stop was named Daylín Sánchez. As everyone knows, the driver who hit her fled the scene. She was found lifeless shortly after by another driver," the user stated.
According to this source, Sánchez "was studying law, hailed from Jagüey Grande, and stayed on campus because of transportation issues. She didn't travel home every weekend." This information has yet to be confirmed by local Matanzas authorities or the official state press, which has not reported on the incident that presumably took the life of a university student.
At the time of the accident, there was a power outage in the area, making it particularly dark. As she left the university and attempted to cross the hazardous road toward the bus stop, she was unexpectedly struck by a vehicle whose driver fled, the Facebook user noted. They pointed to the frequent power outages affecting Cubans' daily lives as a contributing factor to the accident.
Additionally, the user mentioned that "the car that hit her appeared to be modern. Broken glass from the car's headlight and plastic debris, possibly from the bumper or front of the vehicle, were found at the scene." Sánchez did not have any personal identification on her, only a damaged cellphone from the impact. Finally, on Sunday, December 1st, around 5 p.m., university professors and family members identified her body, according to the user.
The young woman's body is now with her family for the wake and burial. Sánchez had recently turned 20 on October 11th and was in her second year at the Law Faculty. "The uncertainty of identifying the body has ended, but not the search for the driver who fled," the account concluded.
Community Outcry for Justice
On social media, the community has expressed outrage over the hit-and-run. Condolences are interspersed with demands for authorities to investigate and clarify the case. "The person responsible should face consequences for this inhumane act of leaving the young woman behind," a user wrote.
The tragic event reignites discussions about road safety conditions in Cuba, particularly in poorly lit areas with high pedestrian traffic. Sánchez's case highlights the alarming trend of hit-and-runs in Cuba, a situation that has claimed numerous lives and left a trail of impunity in various instances.
In January, a cyclist in Havana was struck by the driver of a Moskvich, who fled the scene without offering aid. While the cyclist survived, the injuries were severe, sparking outrage on social media where users demanded the identification and punishment of the perpetrator.
In mid-December 2023, a motorcyclist hit a young person in Santiago de Cuba and immediately fled. The victim sustained serious injuries, and there has been no reported resolution of the case.
Just days before this incident, a child in Havana was also hit by a motorcyclist who escaped after the crash. Although the child survived, the incident sparked debates about the lack of adherence to traffic rules and the need for stricter road regulations.
Less fortunate was a motorcyclist who in April 2023 fell victim to a hit-and-run. The man, who worked for a delivery company, died shortly after the accident.
Addressing Road Safety and Hit-and-Run Incidents in Cuba
What happened in the Matanzas hit-and-run incident?
A 20-year-old law student was struck and killed by a vehicle near the University of Matanzas. The driver fled the scene, and the incident has sparked calls for justice online.
How has the community reacted to the incident?
The community has expressed outrage and demanded that authorities investigate the case to bring the perpetrator to justice. Social media has been a platform for sharing condolences and calls for action.
What are the broader implications of this incident?
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of hit-and-runs in Cuba, drawing attention to road safety concerns, particularly in poorly lit and high-traffic areas.
How common are hit-and-run incidents in Cuba?
Hit-and-run incidents are alarmingly common in Cuba, with several cases reported where drivers flee without assisting victims, leading to public outrage and calls for stricter traffic regulations.