New York Times
February 27, 1958. p. 10.
Cuban Driver Is
Formally Accused of Manslaughter
HAVANA, Feb. 26 (UP)—Formal charges of manslaughter were filed today against the driver of a racing car that plunged out of control into a crowd of spectators during Monday’s Gran Premio automobile race, killing seven persons and seriously injuring forty others.
Criminal charges also were filed against the “person or persons unknown” who kidnapped the world racing champion, Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina, and prevented his participation in the race.
Judge Francisco Calderin, in entering the charges against Armando Garcia Cifuentes, of Cuba, 26, driver of the Ferrari death car, said that he was criminally liable because the dead and injured were spectators to the race rather than participants. The judge said the penalty provided by the penal code upon conviction in Señor Garcia Cifuentes’ case would be from one to ten years’ imprisonment.