Residents of the village of Arroyo Blanco, in the municipality of Jatibonico, Sancti Spíritus, are mourning the death of "Muni," a beloved neighbor who died in a traffic accident while riding his scooter.
The vehicle, known as "chivichana" among the local residents, was in perfect condition and was regularly used by its owner to commute around the area for work.
"That scooter had its license plate and was the best in town. The driver was very responsible," noted one of many neighbors on social media who mourned the untimely loss of the driver, whose name and age have not yet been revealed.
According to several testimonies, the accident that took Muni's life was not due to any failures in his vehicle or any recklessness on his part.
A brief video posted in the group Accidents in Cuba showed the moment when the vehicle was being towed by another after the accident.
"Unfortunately, it was neither his fault nor his scooter's, but rather that of another driver. It's something that can happen even to a brand-new vehicle," a relative stated.
However, the exact circumstances of the accident in which "Muni" passed away have not been revealed; it seems that he traveled long distances every weekend, such as the Jatibonico-Trinidad route.
In the Facebook group "Friends of Arroyo Blanco," a user referred to the "lack of humanity" shown by those who witnessed the accident and who allegedly focused on recording with their phones instead of helping.
Although many internet users have described the deceased as a model and responsible driver, the accident in which they died has sparked a debate about the safety of these types of handmade vehicles, which represent an affordable solution for many Cubans.
While some labeled them as "rolling coffins" due to their fragility on already pothole-riddled roads, others defended the creativity of those who manufacture them with limited resources, emphasizing that it all depends on the driver.
"These vehicles are no more dangerous than others; it all depends on how they are used and the conditions in which they are driven," argued a driver.
The accident involving Muni has left a void in Arroyo Blanco, where his family and friends have received numerous expressions of solidarity.
"We lost a great man. Arroyo Blanco is in mourning today," stated one resident, while another noted that the local funeral home was crowded with neighbors who came to bid farewell to the deceased driver.
Accidents show no mercy on Cuban roads.
In another incident that occurred last week, a person died in an accident on Avenida del Puerto in Old Havana following a collision between a polaquito and a taxi.
Cuban authorities stated at the beginning of July that there were 543 fewer incidents recorded in the country in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year.
In the official television program Mesa Redonda, Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Traffic Body of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), also reported that there were 81 fewer fatalities (23%) and a reduction of 151 injuries (5%) between January and June of this year, compared to the same period in 2023.
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