The tragedy struck with brutal force to a family from Sancti Spíritus, as a father and his son lost their lives together in the fatal traffic accident that occurred last Friday at kilometer 277 of the National Highway, near Villa Clara.
The accident, which involved two vehicles—a Peugeot 405 and a Geely MK—resulted in a provisional total of five fatalities and at least two serious injuries.
Among the victims are José Antonio Rodríguez Lorenzo, the driver of the Peugeot, and his son Maels Rodríguez Sánchez, who was only 22 years old. Both were from Taguasco, Sancti Spíritus, and were heading to their destination when they were caught by tragedy.
The shock is profound in Zaza del Medio, the hometown of this family. Neighbors and friends express their dismay on social media over the double loss, highlighting José Antonio's dedication as a father and farmer.
Aboard the same vehicle were two other passengers who also sustained serious injuries: Yosvanis Crespo Benítez and Yoegnis Granado Fernández, both of whom were also from Taguasco.
The causes of the accident are still under investigation, but witnesses point to possible speeding and the poor condition of the pavement as contributing factors. The scene after the collision—one of the vehicles completely destroyed—reflected the magnitude of the impact.
This tragedy adds to a long list of accidents on Cuban roads, where over 600 deaths were recorded in 2024 alone due to this cause. However, the authorities still fail to implement effective prevention measures, while families continue to mourn their lost loved ones.
The loss of a father and his son in the same moment carries an unfathomable pain, a blow from which an entire community will take time to recover. Their story is a tragic reminder of the high price of every failure in road safety in Cuba.
Three sons from Taguasco among those who died in the tragic accident
The municipality of Taguasco, located in the province of Sancti Spíritus, is in mourning following the confirmation that three of the five fatalities from the accident were from that area.
In addition to Rodríguez Lorenzo, affectionately known as "Pepito," and his son Maels, who is only 22 years old, Taguasco also mourns the death of Raúl Basilio Ysisdro González.
The tragedy particularly shocked the local agricultural community, as Pepito was a prominent producer in the agricultural sector, recognized for his dedication and commitment to food production, as noted on Facebook by Anelys Ramírez, the municipal delegate for Agriculture in Taguasco.
His death, along with that of his young son, has left a deep void not only in his family but also in the agricultural community that pays tribute to him today.
The community has responded with expressions of grief and solidarity. “An irreplaceable loss for our municipality,” stated the local official. “Agriculture also loses an exemplary producer,” Ramírez added, referencing Pepito Rodríguez.
Along with Raúl Basilio, driver of the Geely MK, his companions lost their lives: Karina Sánchez Sánchez, 27 years old, and Mario Bárbaro Ramos Díaz, 25 years old. Both were originally from Jatibonico, in the province of Sancti Spíritus.
This new accident raises alarms about the high accident rate on Cuban roads, which is marked by the deterioration of road infrastructure, the wear and tear of the vehicle fleet, and reckless driving. Taguasco, now in mourning, becomes a symbol of the human cost that these failures continue to produce.
While the exact causes of the incident are being investigated, family, friends, and neighbors from Zaza del Medio - and the province of Sancti Spíritus - pay tribute to the victims, united by a common bond: their love for their land and lives cut short by tragedy.
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