On Thursday night in Havana, a police patrol car collided with the back of a semi-truck amidst light rain. The incident took place around 9:55 pm at the intersection of Calzada de Güines and Narcisa, merely two blocks away from the La Oncena police station. This was reported by Mariana López on the Facebook group "ACCIDENTES BUSES & CAMIONES por más experiencia y menos víctimas!"
López shared a video capturing the aftermath of the accident, showing the patrol car's hood wedged beneath the rear end of the semi-truck, commonly referred to as "the Viking," while an officer walked around the scene. Despite the collision, the visible damage to the car appeared minor, and traffic in the area continued as usual.
Reactions and Eyewitness Accounts
The incident sparked immediate reactions from witnesses and online users, leading to divided opinions regarding the cause of the crash. One user questioned, "The patrol crashed into the truck from behind. How were those officers driving? In what conditions?" A local resident noted, "It was drizzling, they probably tried to brake and bam, they hit the back."
Several commenters criticized the technical state of the police vehicles: "None of those cops know how to drive well, plus those Ladas are junk, they have them all beat up," one person wrote. Another added, "They always try to blame the truck driver."
Contrasting Views on the Incident
However, Pavel Herrera García, who claims to have witnessed the crash, offered a different perspective. "I was passing by at the time. The Lada went under the truck. The truck didn't have rear lights, brake lights, or position lights. It braked suddenly to turn left, and that's when the car got under it," Herrera explained. Fortunately, no officers were injured in the incident.
This accident highlights longstanding issues with the poor technical conditions of police vehicles and cargo trucks in Cuba, as well as the increased risks posed by rain, particularly in urban areas with inadequate lighting and road signs.
Understanding the Traffic Challenges in Havana
What caused the police car to crash into the semi-truck?
The patrol car collided with the back of the semi-truck. Eyewitness accounts suggest the truck lacked rear lights and braked suddenly, causing the patrol car to go underneath it.
Were there any injuries from the accident?
Fortunately, no police officers were reported injured in the accident.
How did the public react to the accident?
Public reactions were mixed, with some criticizing the driving skills of police officers and the condition of their vehicles, while others blamed the truck driver for the lack of proper lighting.