Related videos:
A teenager and her mother died after being struck by a car while walking on a sidewalk alongside other family members in the rural community of Jamaica, in the Manuel Tames municipality of Guantánamo.
The fatalities have been identified as Eliesny Durán Llorente (17 years old) and her mother, Yaislin Llorente Matos.
In the accident, three other people were injured: the stepfather and the younger sister of the deceased teenager, as well as a niece of the woman, as confirmed on social media by journalist Miguel Reyes Mendoza.
Images released of the car involved confirm that it was left in ruins.
The news portal La Tijera specified that the driver of the involved vehicle is the young man Eduardo Laborde.
"According to reports from family members and witnesses, he was inebriated, driving without a license, went up onto the sidewalk, and ran over an entire family,” noted the mentioned source.
In the comments of one of the posts about the topic, a man who claimed to be the driver’s brother came to his defense:
"Everyone feels for their losses, and I feel for my brother. I understand that what happened must be dealt with by the law, but he's not a bad guy. No one in this life wants to have an accident and take lives. These are things that happen in this world of mortals," he said.
"Accidents are not simple; they happen in seconds during which a human being has no capacity to react to such a disaster. Both families are suffering; no one can say that one is suffering more than the other. I ask you to reflect on your comments; you do not know who you might hurt," he added.
Others who claim to know the person responsible for the incident stated that the young man was not under the influence of alcohol, but rather that it was a regrettable accident.
"A lot of sadness for that family, but please don't comment without knowing the facts. Eduardo wasn’t drunk; he is a young man with a huge heart, and this time he just had the bad luck of being involved in that accident. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. It’s true that he didn’t have a license, but you can’t judge him solely for that, because almost 90% of drivers in Cuba drive without one. Please respect the pain that those families are feeling right now, and take the time to find out the facts before posting or commenting," commented an internet user.
However, the overwhelming majority of commentators are calling for strict enforcement of the laws and justice for the two deceased.
The bodies of mother and daughter were laid to rest in the Zabala neighborhood, in their hometown of Sagua de Tánamo, Holguín province.
In a recent post, journalist Miguel Reyes requested "mercury and wet wipes for the minor involved in the Manuel Tames accident who is hospitalized in serious condition."
Those who can collaborate should contact Adianet Hernández at the number 55305435.
As of the publication of this note, there are no further details about the tragic accident.
Frequently asked questions about the tragic accident in Guantánamo
Who were the victims of the accident in Guantánamo?
The victims were a 17-year-old teenager, Eliesny Durán Llorente, and her mother, Yaislin Llorente Matos. Both died after being struck by a car while walking along a sidewalk with other family members in the rural community of Jamaica, in Guantánamo.
What is known about the driver involved in the accident?
The driver of the involved vehicle is a young man named Eduardo Laborde. According to reports from family members and witnesses, he was intoxicated and driving without a license, which caused him to mount the sidewalk and run over an entire family.
How many people were injured in the accident?
In addition to the two deceased, three other people were injured: the stepfather and the younger sister of the deceased teenager, as well as a niece of the woman.
What has been the community's reaction to this accident?
The community has expressed great indignation, demanding justice for the victims. Most commentators are calling for strict enforcement of the laws, while some acquaintances of the driver have defended his character, asserting that he was not under the influence of alcohol.
Filed under: