Three young people die in a motorcycle accident in Santiago de Cuba.

Motorcycle safety gear

A tragic accident occurred in the early hours of March 31st between an electric motorcycle and a Jawa at the corner of 11th Street in Veguita de Galo and Carretera del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, in which three people lost their lives.

There were 3 passengers on the electric motorcycle, of which 2 died (Félix Sandi Ortiz, 39 years old and Darilen Gonce Salas, 20 years old and resident of Princesa # 359 / Corona and Mejorana) and the other only had minor injuries and has already been discharged (Víctor Ernesto Baibir, 29 years old and resident of Princesa # 253 1/2, between Padre Pico and Colón).

The third death was the driver of the Jawa motorcycle (Leonel Bell Bravo, 22 years old) who died in the operating room while undergoing surgery.

After the accident, everyone was transferred to the Joaquín Castillo Duany military hospital, Aris Arias Batalla, head of Operations and Relief for the Ministry of Public Health in Santiago de Cuba, reported on social media

Beer cans are visible at the crash site in photos shared on his Facebook profile. However, the cause of the accident is under investigation.

Citizens have expressed their dismay over the incident on the digital platform, agreeing that it’s common to see young people driving under the influence of alcohol, many of them even without a driver’s license.

“A regrettable incident, very sad and painful for those just starting out, but these young people need to put a stop to the lifestyle that’s so prevalent among almost all young people: staying up all night on weekends, drinking, and riding  motorcycles at speed. It’s a deadly consequence. My condolences to their parents and all their families; it’s truly very painful for everyone. RIP,” commented one internet user.

Nelson Matos, a Provincial Government Investment official, stated in his profile that this unfortunate accident involving two motorcycles in Santiago de Cuba could have been avoided.

He emphasized that it is no surprise that every day, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, many Santiago residents on motorcycles and  scooters travel to the coast of Santiago Bay, where they spend considerable sums of money on alcohol and other items.

The most popular spots, he said, are Playa la Estrella, Punta Gorda, the Balcon del Caribe, and Aguadores, where restaurants, paladares, and other services have proliferated.

“I’ve seen quite a few young people who, when they’re about to be stopped by traffic authorities, try to escape at the airport roundabout, driving against the traffic, at full speed, endangering themselves and those traveling in that direction, sometimes more than two on a single  scooter or motorcycle, as in this case,” he added.

Matos emphasized that social indiscipline has its costs, and unfortunately, this is one of them.