A tragic traffic accident that occurred this Tuesday at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 170 in the Playa municipality has shocked residents and passersby in the Cuban capital.
According to witnesses, the private vehicle, a black Hyundai Accent, violently crashed into a palm tree and was practically split in half, suggesting it was traveling at high speed.
The images shared on social media show the extent of the disaster. Users noted that the driver may have lost control of the car after one of the tires blew out.
Another version, from a supposed witness, is that the driver was attempting to overtake but collided with the curb and lost control of his car.
Although the official information has not yet been confirmed, many fear that the driver may have died on the spot, considering the state of the car. In the passenger seat was a person who appears seriously injured in the photos, but it is not known if they survived.
"The image of that man gripping the hand of the deceased tightly as if to say, 'I am here, and everything will be alright,' broke my heart," commented a person emotionally on social media.
Other Cubans have taken the opportunity to make an urgent call to respect speed limits, especially considering the poor condition of the roads in the country.
"An accident like this in the middle of downtown? We need to respect the speed limits!" wrote one of the users.
5th Avenue is considered a fast road, with sections where speeds of up to 80 km/h are allowed in the left lane. However, there are areas where the speed is strictly regulated due to significant intersections with other streets and pedestrian crossings, which is why it often has police monitoring.
The condition of the pavement and the lack of signage lead many drivers to underestimate the risks of driving on 5th Avenue. Others ignore speed limits, trusting that the flow of traffic is controlled by the traffic lights. They forget that there are more drivers and pedestrians on the road.
At the moment, authorities have not issued an official statement regarding this tragic accident. However, dozens of condolence messages have flooded social media: "RIP," "Strength to that family," "May God place His hand," are some of the comments shared by internet users.
During the first quarter of 2025, traffic accidents in Cuba decreased, but the number of fatalities increased compared to 2024. Between January and March, 173 fatalities were reported, compared to 146 during the same period last year.
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, emphasized that March was the most critical month. Although there were fewer injuries (1,514), provinces like Havana, Camagüey, and Ciego de Ávila reported the highest number of deaths.
The government attributes the accidents to "human factors," overlooking structural causes such as the poor condition of the roads. Seventy-five percent of the roads in Cuba are deteriorated, which exacerbates road safety issues throughout the country.
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