A Cuban man driving a makeshift vehicle, commonly referred to as a "riquimbili," tragically lost his life in the early hours of Sunday in the Boyeros municipality of Havana after colliding with a Yutong bus from behind.
Social media reports indicate that the driver, known to friends as “El Kisley,” may have fallen asleep at the wheel of the lightweight vehicle, leading to the fatal accident. The collision took place on Street 100, just past the Calabazar bridge, near the military residential buildings—an area some locals describe as particularly hazardous.
"It's hard to start the day with such news. A good person, always joking, with a charisma that defined you; a fighter, a hard worker, a noble soul. Rest in peace, my brother," expressed content creator Alexander Ríos Cruz, a childhood friend of the deceased, in a heartfelt social media post.
He added, "I'll remember when we played with carts in the school's grove, when the clinic was being built, which we used as our playground. I'll remember you helping me find a screw in a can just to make things work... Farewell, brother."
The victim hailed from the small town of Arroyo Blanco in Jatibonico, Sancti Spíritus. His funeral was scheduled for two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, as noted by Ríos Cruz in the comments of his post.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Accident
Witnesses shared their accounts of the accident scene in the comments section, detailing the impact it had on them.
"I passed by and saw the accident around 10 in the morning. It was on Road 100, near La Fortuna neighborhood. The police were there, along with the bus, and the riquimbili was behind it. What a tragedy!" one witness recounted.
"I went by around two, and it was a Yutong from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). The crash was really severe; he hit the bus from behind," another noted.
"Wow! I passed by and the accident had already happened... he hit a bus from behind. I didn’t think it was that serious...," lamented a third witness.
Outpouring of Grief and Farewell Messages
The news stirred a wave of sadness and support among those who knew “El Kisley” or simply empathized with his story. Here are some expressions of deep sorrow shared online:
"Man, what sadness I’ve felt since I heard the news. Such a great friend and companion in life. My condolences to his family and closest friends"; "Oh, what a sorrowful news... Strength to his family, friends, and neighbors... these news aren’t easy... they hurt"; "What a painful news. My deepest condolences to family and friends"; "May God keep him in glory. Such a young man," commented some netizens.
"What pain!! It’s not easy"; "So sad...!! Poor friend to all who knew him… Even more so… poor mother!”; "A great friend cherished by everyone in his little town of Arroyo Blanco"; "Sad news about that great friend and brother"; "Very sad news, brother," others pointed out.
Undoubtedly, it's a shocking piece of news. A friend, a son, a good man, and a fighter in life... Many didn’t know him, but what a wonderful person he was. (...) Only his mother knows the extent of her pain," concluded another deeply affected netizen.
Key Questions About the Accident in Havana
What caused the accident involving the riquimbili and the bus?
The accident was reportedly caused by the driver of the riquimbili falling asleep at the wheel, leading to a rear-end collision with a Yutong bus.
Where did the accident occur?
The crash happened on Street 100, just past the Calabazar bridge, near the military residential buildings in the Boyeros municipality of Havana.
Who was the victim of this accident?
The victim, known as "El Kisley," was from Arroyo Blanco in Jatibonico, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.