A dramatic traffic accident that occurred on Thursday afternoon shook the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, specifically at the intersection of San Félix and San Jerónimo streets, one of the busiest areas in the city.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident reportedly occurred when the driver of an electric tricycle attempted to evade a motorcycle officer from the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), who was pursuing him at high speed.
During the chase, the driver lost control of the vehicle and violently collided with a Peugeot car with license plate P240698, causing both vehicles to overturn in the middle of the road.
“It's like a movie, man. The noise was immense and everyone ran out,” recounted a neighbor to the independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who shared images and the recording of the incident on Facebook, captured by a security camera.
The images show the chaos caused by the impact, with overturned vehicles, dozens of onlookers recording with their phones, and law enforcement agents trying to control the situation. The quick arrival of neighbors and passersby who assisted those involved is also noticeable.
So far, no injuries have been reported, although local authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or the identities of those involved.
The accident, which has left many residents of Santiago in shock, once again highlights the rise in road incidents in the eastern city, where narrow streets and deteriorating pavement complicate vehicle circulation.
Police chases that end in accidents in Cuba
Although infrequent, several accidents caused by police chases have been reported in Cuba in recent years, in which drivers attempting to escape from PNR agents end up losing control of their vehicles.
In August 2023, a young man was injured in Camagüey after a police motorcycle chase when he collided with another vehicle while fleeing from the officers.
In December 2022, a chase against a vehicle loaded with beef ended in an accident, following an intense pursuit by PNR patrols.
In January 2020, a tourist driver crashed in Sancti Spíritus while attempting to evade a police checkpoint, causing significant material damage.
These cases reflect a worrying trend, where attempts to flee from police operations result in collisions or rollovers, with consequences that endanger both those involved and bystanders.
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