An emotional video shows the exact moment when Cuban Yenly Rachel Martínez Pérez, a victim of a severe traffic accident, was bid farewell by the medical staff of the hospital where she was admitted in Colorado.
The images, shared by the journalist from Univision, Javier Díaz, show a line of healthcare professionals from various fields gathered along a corridor as a tribute to the 25-year-old woman.
“The medical team at the hospital paid tribute to the young woman who will give life to several people,” said the communicator, referring to the family's decision to donate the young woman's organs, whose husband and two-year-old son were also injured in the accident.
A birthday cut short by tragedy
The accident occurred on Tuesday, October 7, around two in the afternoon, when Yenly was traveling with her husband, Frey Lara Hernández, and their 23-month-old son on Highway 30, near mile marker 293, south of Rock River, in Albany County, Wyoming.
They were heading to celebrate Frey's birthday, but the trip turned into a nightmare when a deer unexpectedly crossed the road and caused a devastating collision.
According to journalist Javier Díaz's previous account, Yenly was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle without a seatbelt, accompanied by her baby.
Both suffered critical injuries. While the husband, with a fractured body, fought to stay conscious, his wife and son were urgently transferred to medical centers due to severe brain injuries.
The struggle in intensive care and a heartbreaking fate
Yenly underwent surgery and remained connected to life support equipment for four days.
On October 11, doctors confirmed the worst scenario: brain death. With deep sorrow, the family authorized the disconnection, and her body ceased to fight that very day. The young Cuban mother, full of dreams and just at the beginning of her adult life, then became an organ donor.
His son, although he also suffered a brain injury, remains hospitalized in "stable" condition.
The father, with multiple fractures, continues to recover, now facing not only a physical trauma but also the pain of having lost his life partner.
The accident was partially witnessed by a relative who was on the phone with Yenly at the moment of the tragedy.
"I was talking to her on the phone when suddenly I heard her scream in terror. After that, I didn't hear anything else from her until her husband managed to react, got out of the car, and called us shouting," recounted Yipsiar Yenly, a close cousin.
A request on the fundraising platform GoFundMe has managed to raise over $12,000 in less than 24 hours for both the care of the baby of the deceased young woman and for the funeral services of Yenly Rachel Martínez.
Frey Lara, even from his hospital bed, has expressed his determination to fulfill the promise he made to his wife: that their son will not be alone.
In the GoFundMe campaign titled "Help Me Bury My Wife and Save My Son", he wrote:
"My body is full of fractures, but the greatest pain is invisible. And my son continues to fight with all his strength to survive. Today I need help to cover the medical expenses, the care for my baby, and to repatriate my wife's body. Her family is waiting to give her a dignified farewell, as she deserves, and that final goodbye. Your donation, no matter how small, can make the difference between despair and hope."
A gesture that gives life: Organ donation
In the midst of pain, Frey made a decision filled with love and humanity: to donate Yenly's organs to save other lives. The farewell at the hospital thus became an act of respect and reverence for someone who, even after death, offered hope to others.
The medical staff formed a corridor of honor as Yenly's body was taken to the operating room, in what is known as the "honor walk", a common practice to bid farewell to organ donors. The gesture, captured on video, has touched thousands of people on social media.
A native of Sancti Spíritus and an only child, according to reports on social media, Yenly Rachel Martínez Pérez emigrated to the United States about two years ago.
Friends and family describe her as a cheerful, enthusiastic woman who is deeply dedicated to her son and has dreams of building a better life in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Accident of Yenly Rachel Martínez Pérez and Organ Donation
How did the accident that caused the death of Yenly Rachel Martínez Pérez happen?
The accident occurred when a deer unexpectedly crossed the road while Yenly was traveling with her husband and son on Highway 30 in Wyoming. This caused a devastating collision that resulted in serious injuries for Yenly and her son.
What was the impact of Yenly's decision to donate her organs?
The decision to donate Yenly's organs was an act of love and humanity that allowed several people to receive a new chance at life. The hospital staff paid tribute to her through an "honor walk", bidding her farewell with respect for her generosity even after her passing.
What is the current situation of Yenly's family after the accident?
The son of Yenly is stable in the hospital after suffering a brain injury, while her husband, Frey Lara Hernández, is recovering from multiple fractures. The family is facing not only the physical trauma but also the emotional pain of having lost Yenly.
How can the community help Yenly's family?
The community has started a campaign on GoFundMe to raise funds to assist with the baby's medical expenses, Yenly's funeral costs, and the repatriation of her body to Cuba. More than $12,000 has been raised in less than 24 hours, but donations are still needed to ease the family's financial burden.
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