Two drivers seriously injured in Moca crash
Police say a 20-year-old driver allegedly ran a red light at high speed and struck a 22-year-old driver who had the green light at the intersection of PR-111 and PR-125.
The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported the crash occurred around 10:44 p.m. Friday at kilometer 3.3 on PR-111 in Moca
- Police said Carlos Rodríguez Soto, 20, of San Sebastián, was driving an Acura TSX red at excessive speed and ran a red light
- The Acura struck the front-left side of a Toyota Yaris black driven by Byron Méndez González, 22, of Aguadilla, who had the green light
- Both men were taken first to Hospital San Carlos in Moca then transferred to Centro Médico in Río Piedras due to serious injuries
Details of the collision
Two drivers were seriously injured in a collision that occurred around 10:44 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, at the intersection of highways PR-111 and PR-125 in Moca, Metro Puerto Rico reported. According to the police investigation, Carlos Rodríguez Soto, 20, of San Sebastián, was driving a red Acura TSX at a speed higher than permitted by law when he allegedly ran a red light at kilometer 3.3 and struck the front-left side of a black Toyota Yaris.
The second vehicle was driven by Byron Méndez González, 22, of Aguadilla, who was proceeding with the green light in his favor, both Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día reported. State paramedics assisted both drivers at the scene and transported them initially to Hospital San Carlos in Moca. Due to the severity of their injuries they were later referred to Centro Médico in Río Piedras.
Investigation and next steps
Agent Emanuel Lorenzo Ramírez of the Aguadilla Highway Patrol Division is in charge of the investigation under the supervision of Sgt. Omar Padilla, Metro Puerto Rico reported. The case was referred to prosecutor José Quiñones, who ordered both vehicles seized as evidence.
Both outlets described the injuries as serious but provided no further medical updates. El Nuevo Día referred to the drivers only by age while Metro Puerto Rico named them and gave their towns of residence.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día agree on the location, time, vehicles involved, the allegation of excessive speed and running a red light, the identity of the driver who had the green light, the sequence of medical transport to Hospital San Carlos then Centro Médico, and the prosecutor’s order to seize the vehicles. Metro Puerto Rico supplies the full names, ages, towns of residence of both drivers, the exact intersection reference, the name of the investigating agent and his supervisor, and the precise time of 10:44 p.m. El Nuevo Día does not name the drivers or the agent and gives a slightly earlier publication time but otherwise reports the same preliminary facts.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the current medical condition or prognosis of the two drivers, whether any charges have been filed, the exact speeds involved, whether alcohol or drugs were factors, or if there were any witnesses besides the drivers. No information is given on traffic signals maintenance or prior accidents at that intersection.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Dos conductores resultan gravemente heridos en choque en Moca
- Reporting Choque grave en Moca: dos jóvenes resultan heridos por presunto exceso de velocidad
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día both covered the Friday night crash in Moca based on the same police preliminary investigation. Details such as the drivers’ names, the investigating officer and the exact time rest solely on the Metro Puerto Rico account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.