A young motorcyclist identified as Lonier Chacón Zamora was left in a very serious condition this Sunday after a violent collision with a horse-drawn cart that occurred at night in front of the Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Clinical Surgical Hospital, in the El Cobre area of Santiago de Cuba, according to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported.
The crash occurred on the road linking El Cobre to Palma Soriano, a route that simultaneously accommodates motorcycles, cars, and horse-drawn vehicles, making it a high-risk corridor during nighttime hours, the report stated.
Several testimonies gathered from the area agree that Chacón Zamora was riding his motorcycle when the collision with the horse-drawn cart occurred. "After the impact, the motorcyclist ended up underneath the cart and suffered a severe blow to the chest," one source recounted. Another testimony indicates that the bar of the animal-drawn vehicle struck the young man directly.
The images of the scene reveal the extent of the disaster: the motorcycle was severely damaged, with several parts scattered on the pavement, while the cart remained stationary at the site.
About four people were traveling in the cart. Several of its occupants, including women, were injured and were taken to Santiago de Cuba for medical attention.
"The most concerning situation remains that of Lonier Chacón Zamora, who, according to the latest information received, was urgently taken to the operating room and is in very serious condition," Mayeta Labrada specified.
"Until now —emphasized the journalist— there is no official version that allows for a precise determination of how the collision occurred or to establish responsibilities," which is why any reports regarding the speed of the motorcycle or the culpability of those involved should be considered preliminary.
The incident also triggered a wave of questions among residents, as the area was dark at the time of the impact. “Local sources report that the area was completely dark due to a power outage and that even the Ambrosio Grillo Hospital was without electricity at that time,” reported Mayeta Labrada. According to testimonies, it was only after the serious accident that power was restored to facilitate the emergency care of the young man.
The accident occurs in the context of a severe energy crisis that has plagued Santiago de Cuba throughout 2026. The provincial Electric Company admitted in June that it could barely guarantee one or two hours of electricity service per day, meaning cuts lasted up to 22 hours. Just a few days before the El Cobre incident, the province experienced a total disconnection from the National Electroenergetic System that lasted nearly 48 hours.
This Sunday’s incident is not an isolated case in the province. On August 8, young Leandry Osorio was left in a coma with a reserved prognosis following a motorcycle accident on the Ciudamar Road in Santiago de Cuba. Nationally, the official statistics for 2025 recorded 7,538 traffic accidents, with 750 fatalities and 6,718 injuries, indicating that motorcycles, mopeds, and pedestrians were involved in 63% of the incidents.
At the time of this report, no official medical update had been released regarding the condition of Lonier Chacón Zamora or the status of the other injured individuals, Mayeta Labrada specified.
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