Tragedy strikes at 27 de Febrero and Winston Churchill intersection

Dolores

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 20, 2019
15,480
2,415
93
Accidente-escolta-Vice-El-Dia-e1614953329169.jpg


Thirty-four year old Aneydy Manuel Castillo García died when riding a motorcycle that collided with a SUV belonging to the escort of Vice President Raquel Peña. The Vice President caravan was returning to the Presidential Palace after she had attended an event to recognize outstanding women military at the Ministry of Defense.

47-year old Mekesedek Feliz Cuevas was also riding the motorcycle and suffered significant injuries on 4 March 2021 in the crash that took place at the busy intersection of 27 de Febrero and Winston Churchill avenues.

Roberto Valenzuela, spokesperson for the Transit and Land Transportation Agency (Digesett), said the fatal collision occurred at 11:20am. He explained a traffic agent had given way to the patrol car escorting Vice President Peña and the men riding on a motorcycle crossed in a north-south direction, colliding with the...

Continue reading...
 
Last edited by a moderator:

CristoRey

Welcome To Wonderland
Apr 1, 2014
11,715
7,976
113
If you've ever been unfortunate enough to be on the road when a motorcade full of politicians
passes by I'm sure you understand how something like this could happen but then anyone riding
a motorcycle in Santo Domingo has to know there are serious risk involved. I doubt the SUV that
crashed into him even stopped.
 

Yourmaninvegas

Well-known member
Feb 16, 2016
3,292
2,589
113
-
I happen to have a professional background on moving individuals around who face a high threat level.
I have not seen that service performed in a professional manner here on the streets in Santo Domingo/Santo Domingo Este .
 
  • Like
Reactions: Russell

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
11,697
8,129
113
Police routinely stop cars at intersections all the time for a variety of reasons. Motorcyle drivers in their infinite wisdom routinely assume they don't have to follow instructions from police and this is the result.
 
Last edited:

Naked_Snake

Bronze
Sep 2, 2008
1,811
222
63
If you've ever been unfortunate enough to be on the road when a motorcade full of politicians
passes by I'm sure you understand how something like this could happen but then anyone riding
a motorcycle in Santo Domingo has to know there are serious risk involved. I doubt the SUV that
crashed into him even stopped.
Yeah, but you have to acknowledge the fact that many (if not MOST) motoristas aren't prudent and like to cross the red light here as if it was nothing.
 

Naked_Snake

Bronze
Sep 2, 2008
1,811
222
63
Police routinely stop cars at intersections all the time for a variety of reasons. Motorcyle drivers in their infinite wisdom routinely assume they don't have to follow instructions from police and this is the result.
Exactly, you get it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Russell

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
I saw the Presidential motorcade the other day

They run 'blockers' waaaaay out in front to clear their path and have a follow-up group

You'd have to be an idiot to miss their passing
 
  • Like
Reactions: Russell

Yourmaninvegas

Well-known member
Feb 16, 2016
3,292
2,589
113
-
Police routinely stop cars at intersections all the time for a variety of reasons. Motorcyle drivers in their infinite wisdom routinely assume they don't have to follow instructions from police and this is the result.
Did the motorcycle blow the intersection after it was shut down ❓
Article does not make that clear...
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
11,697
8,129
113
Did the motorcycle blow the intersection after it was shut down ❓
Article does not make that clear...
Most motorcycle riders weave through traffic (moving and stopped) totally oblivious to what's going on around them.

Have you ever been driving down a road and have one pull out of a side street without even looking if there's oncoming traffic? It happens to me at least a dozen times a day.

I'm always watching out for them because I was taught the correct way to drive - situational awareness. Most of us were probably taught that way. Constantly reviewing everything going on around me and anticipating which persons are going to ignore my right of way.

For most drivers here, driving is not an analytical process; they point and go. That's why you see people who squeeze their cars into the most illogical places then try to zipper back in ahead of you. Zero thinking, only reacting.
 

josh2203

Bronze
Dec 5, 2013
1,572
525
113
Did the motorcycle blow the intersection after it was shut down ❓
Article does not make that clear...

From the article:

"Agentes de la Digesett que trabajan en el área, aseguraron al Diario Libre que los motociclistas se metieron en la intersección cuando ellos les pidieron que pararan para poder dar paso a la escolta vicepresidencial."

So - yes...
 

Yourmaninvegas

Well-known member
Feb 16, 2016
3,292
2,589
113
-
Most motorcycle riders weave through traffic (moving and stopped) totally oblivious to what's going on around them.

Have you ever been driving down a road and have one pull out of a side street without even looking if there's oncoming traffic? It happens to me at least a dozen times a day.

I'm always watching out for them because I was taught the correct way to drive - situational awareness. Most of us were probably taught that way. Constantly reviewing everything going on around me and anticipating which persons are going to ignore my right of way.

For most drivers here, driving is not an analytical process; they point and go. That's why you see people who squeeze their cars into the most illogical places then try to zipper back in ahead of you. Zero thinking, only reacting.
Every thing you say is true.
I have experienced every thing on the streets and in traffic of 🇩🇴 you described in your post.

But I was looking for information on the specific incident.
It is the investigator in me.
Just curious...

Because an additional experience I have had that you did not mention is:
Poor hand signals by traffic officials leading to confusion by me and other drivers.
 

Yourmaninvegas

Well-known member
Feb 16, 2016
3,292
2,589
113
-
From the article:

"Agentes de la Digesett que trabajan en el área, aseguraron al Diario Libre que los motociclistas se metieron en la intersección cuando ellos les pidieron que pararan para poder dar paso a la escolta vicepresidencial."

So - yes...
"Digesett agents who work in the area, assured the Diario Libre that the motorcyclists got into the intersection when they asked them to stop to give way to the vice-presidential escort. "
 

josh2203

Bronze
Dec 5, 2013
1,572
525
113
I'm always watching out for them because I was taught the correct way to drive - situational awareness. Most of us were probably taught that way. Constantly reviewing everything going on around me and anticipating which persons are going to ignore my right of way.

Yes, I had a very strict driving instructor and have a license since I turned 18.... He was very particular on routines regarding checking mirrors etc and one wrong movement would result in a "talk" with him...

For what he thought me, I still thank him...
 

josh2203

Bronze
Dec 5, 2013
1,572
525
113
Poor hand signals by traffic officials leading to confusion by me and other drivers.

Yes, I agree with you on the above, I've seen very incompetent instructions from AMET/DIGESETT... I recall when living in the capital when they decided to act live traffic lights, there would have been less chaos without them...

BUT, I also agree with the below quote from WW, so it's not that straight forward, in my opinion:

I saw the Presidential motorcade the other day
They run 'blockers' waaaaay out in front to clear their path and have a follow-up group
You'd have to be an idiot to miss their passing

Despite of all this, no question regarding the general behavior of motorcycles here...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Russell

AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
23,097
6,247
113
South Coast
I’ve noticed in SD they don’t even always use hand signals. You’re supposed to “know” that if he’s facing you or has his back to you, you should stop. If he’s standing sideways, you can go, and he/she will occasionally wave you on. Sometimes it looks like an elaborate dance, I’m often amazed there aren’t more accidents.
 

josh2203

Bronze
Dec 5, 2013
1,572
525
113

I have seen these motorcades pretty seldom here, so not sure if this is the norm, but I think the car that hit the moto came through the intersection pretty fast, much faster than the other vehicles... The motorcycle also fully ignored the stop signs...

I'm European, so I don't compare, but I have never crossed an intersection that fast here... The car came from behind that construction between the two lanes, so I assume they had no chance to see the motorcycle at all...
 

bienamor

Kansas redneck an proud of it
Apr 23, 2004
5,050
458
83

I have seen these motorcades pretty seldom here, so not sure if this is the norm, but I think the car that hit the moto came through the intersection pretty fast, much faster than the other vehicles... The motorcycle also fully ignored the stop signs...

I'm European, so I don't compare, but I have never crossed an intersection that fast here... The car came from behind that construction between the two lanes, so I assume they had no chance to see the motorcycle at all...
the motorcade was not looking for the motorcycle period. at that point they have the right of way an they are taking it! your bad if you try to cross it. In the old days you used to see non motorcade vehicles following the motorcade as they knew it was flying, don't see that as much anymore
 

Russell

Well-known member
Jun 17, 2017
1,056
337
83
I just do not operate and motor vehicle in RD. i was trained in Defensive driving . Had one roll over back in 1969 .due to black ice.. my bad.
Here only Offensive Driving is applied. Not my idea of safe driving.
Plenty of taxi's available. And peace of mind.
Sorry for the family whom lost a Son