Bring Barbie Home - USF Student

On August 3rd, 2015 a sister from the Beta Gamma chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated, Barbara Jimenez (Barbie), along with four other passengers, John Fox, Maria, and Walter Jimenez, suffered a tragic and fatal automobile accident right outside of Havana, Cuba. The automobile in which our sister and other passengers traveled in was struck head on by a government transport truck. The taxi driver unfortunately passed away and all other four passengers were left in critical condition. Our sister, along with the others were rushed to the hospital in Havana. All four surviving passengers are stable at the moment. However, the injuries that they each sustained have been life threatening. Our sister’s boyfriend, John Fox, was transported back to the United States on Saturday, August 8th, 2015. He works for Northrop Grumman, a global security company based out of Melbourne, Florida. His company was able to airlift him to the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, Florida. However, they were unable to transport our sister due to lack of health insurance. Northrop Grumman advised Barbara’s family that they could transport her back to the United States but at a cost of $50,000.

Fortunately, Caridad Jimenez, Barbara’s sister, was able to travel to Cuba on August 4th, 2015 to be with her and the other family members. However, her parents were unable to do this, due to a recently expired passport and a residency card problem. In order to address and resolve this matter, her parents flew out to Washington D.C. August 12th, 2015 to meet with the Cuban Embassy. The Cuban Embassy was able to assist her parents in expediting their passports and the renewal was granted. Her parents then traveled back to Immokalee, Florida on August 14th, 2015. On August 17th, 2015 the family was finally able to be reunited with Barbara. 

Whilst in Cuba the American Embassy reached out to John Fox, and they assisted his parents in the transportation of his body back to the U.S. However, the American Embassy did not make any contact with Barbara’s family whilst in Cuba until a fortunate run-in with one of the Embassy’s representative. The individual from the American Embassy the family got in contact with is called Jorge Solares. 

Our sister is currently at the Hospital Hermanos Almeijeiras in Havana, Cuba. Maria, Walter and John while in Cuba were admitted into the Hospital Carlos J. Finlay, also in Havana, Cuba.
 
 Barbara’s parents ideally wish to have our sister transported back to the United States. However, due to lack of health insurance and her current medical state they have been unable to do so. We are asking for guidance and direction during this very difficult time. We are exhausting our resources and attempting to reach out to all that may be able to shed some light on this tragedy. Any assistance provided would be greatly appreciated. Please do not hesitate in reaching out to Caridad Jimenez. She is best reached via email at [email redacted]. Thank you for all of your contributions and well wishes during this tough time.


Sincerely,

The Beta Gamma Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated




"So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, it is when things seem the worst that you mustn't quit, DON'T QUIT!"


Articles: 

WUSF News:
http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/usf-sorority-raises-funds-classmate-cuban-hospital#stream/0

ABC Action News: http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-tampa/usf-senior-stranded-in-cuba-after-terrible-car-wreck

FOX News:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/29861856/usf-student-seriously-injured-in-car-crash-stranded-in-cuba

Univision:
http://www.univision.com/miami/noticias/accidente-de-trafico/viaje-de-placer-a-cuba-se-volvio-pesadilla-video

Channel 10 News: http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/2015/08/23/usf/32239313/

Tampa Bay Times: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/without-health-insurance-usf-student-hurt-in-cuba-crash-cant-return-home/2242414

USF Oracle:
http://www.usforacle.com/news/view.php/1010204/Bring-Barbie-Home

CubaNet -Original Article: https://www.cubanet.org/destacados/un-muerto-y-cuatro-heridos-en-accidente-de-transito/