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 moped.
The vehicle, known as "chivichana" among the locals, was in perfect condition and was regularly used by its owner to travel around the area for work.
"That scooter had its license plate and was the best in the town. The driver was very responsible," highlighted one of the many neighbors who mourned the untimely loss of the driver, whose name and age have not been disclosed at this time.
According to several testimonies, the accident that claimed Muni's life was not caused by any faults in his vehicle or by recklessness on his part.
A brief video posted in the group "Automobile Accidents in Cuba" showed the moment when the vehicle was being towed by another after the accident.
"Unfortunately, the blame wasn't on him or his scooter, but rather on another driver. It's something that can happen even to a brand-new vehicle," stated a close associate.
However, the exact circumstances of the accident that claimed the life of "Muni" have not been revealed, as it seems 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" of those who witnessed the accident and who seemed to focus on recording it with their cell phones instead of providing assistance.
Although many internet users have described the victim as an exemplary and responsible driver, the accident that claimed their life has sparked a debate about the safety of these types of handmade vehicles, which provide an affordable solution for many Cubans.
While some have referred to them as "rolling coffins" due to their fragility on roads already riddled with potholes, others have defended the creativity of those who manufacture them with limited resources, pointing out that everything depends on the driver.
"These vehicles are not more dangerous than others; it all depends on how they are used and the conditions in which they are driven," argued a driver.
Muni's accident has left a void in Arroyo Blanco, where his family and friends have received numerous expressions of support.
"We lost a great man. Arroyo Blanco is in mourning today," stated a resident, while another pointed out that the local funeral home was crowded with neighbors who came to bid a final farewell to the deceased driver.
Accidents continue to take a toll 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 announced in early July that the country recorded 543 fewer incidents 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 Agency of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), also reported that there were 81 fewer fatalities (23%) and a reduction of 151 injuries (5%) from January to June of this year, compared to the same period in 2023.
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