Government assumes medical expenses after crash linked to presidential escort

A Monday morning traffic collision on the Maimón–Puerto Plata highway in the Dominican Republic has left three people injured, including two members of the presidential advance security detail and one civilian, according to the top commander of the country’s Presidential Security Corps (CUSEP).

Major General Jimmy Arias, head of CUSEP, shared updated details on the victims’ care arrangements following the incident, which took place as the advance team was en route to a planned official presidential event in Puerto Plata province. The crash occurred between one of the team’s official escort vehicles and a privately owned civilian automobile.

Following the collision, emergency responders quickly transported all three injured parties to medical facilities for urgent care. To access more specialized medical treatment unavailable locally, the two wounded soldiers were evacuated via air ambulance to Cedimat, a leading medical center located in the capital city of Santo Domingo. Arias confirmed that medical providers made the clinical decision to leave the injured civilian at the Bournigal Clinic in Puerto Plata for ongoing care, rather than transferring them to the capital.

In a statement highlighting the administration’s commitment to supporting the affected civilian, Arias noted that all of the civilian’s medical treatment costs will be fully covered by the Dominican government. This full funding arrangement was directly ordered by sitting Dominican President Luis Abinader, underscoring the presidential administration’s proactive response to the incident involving the official presidential motorcade advance team.