A serious traffic accident shook the busy Avenida Martí in Santiago de Cuba this Wednesday, when a large truck—a trailer belonging to the Cement Factory—collided with and dragged a motorcycle carrying two passengers.
The tragedy occurred just after the traffic light changed, witnessed by dozens of bystanders.
According to testimonies gathered by journalist Yosmany Mayeta, the motorcycle was stopped at the traffic light, right in front of the truck.
Apparently, the height of the heavy vehicle prevented the driver from noticing its presence.
In a matter of seconds, and without warning, the truck took off on the green light and passed over the motorcycle, dragging it several meters with both passengers beneath the chassis.
Distracted Driver?: A Negligence with Consequences
The witnesses' accounts point to a key element: the truck driver was supposedly manipulating his cell phone at the time of the incident.
"The driver continued moving forward without realizing it, while everyone was shouting at him; he seemed to be distracted," stated a person who witnessed the accident from the center of the road.
Only the swift reaction of the pedestrians managed to stop the vehicle's advance.
By shouting, they managed to alert the driver, who finally braked.
At that time, the motorcycle lay partially destroyed, and its occupants, injured but alive, were underneath the heavy truck.
Miraculously, both occupants of the motorcycle survived the incident. However, they have sustained considerable injuries.
One of them suffered friction burns over large areas of his body, while the other required deep stitches in one of his legs.
They report institutional abuse and possible cover-up
The accident not only caused physical injuries. The family of the affected motorist reported a second violation, this time institutional.
According to their statements, despite the injured person's health condition, he was detained for hours at the Micro 9 Police Station, forced to give a statement while still having open wounds and visible signs of pain.
"They had him sitting there as if he were the guilty one," his relatives indignantly claimed to the mentioned source.
According to Mayeta's report, the head of transportation at the Cement Factory - the state-owned company that owns the trailer - arrived at the scene not to inquire about the victims, but to defend the driver involved.
This attitude generated even more suspicion among witnesses and family members, who do not hesitate to classify the actions as an attempt at cover-up.
"My dad is the victim, not the culprit."
With profound helplessness, the family members of the motorist reiterated their call for justice.
"My dad is the victim, not the culprit. He has a stitched leg, burns all over his body, and yet they force him to sit and testify as if he has done something wrong," said the son of one of the victims.
The family insists that the interests of a state-owned enterprise should not interfere with the clarification of the matter.
They fear that the case will be manipulated to protect the truck driver, while the rights of the injured are violated.
Neighbors and witnesses of the accident share a common demand: justice. They call for authorities to conduct a transparent investigation, to assess the testimonies of those who witnessed the incident, and to ensure that the rights of the victims are respected, free from favoritism or external pressures.
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