Jonathan Alfredo Lara Cano, a 22-year-old working in Liberia, Costa Rica, died on March 27, 2025, from injuries he sustained in a road accident on February 3. His mother, Arelys Cano, identified his body after a month of hospitalization marked by a struggle for survival.

Arelys Cano recounted the difficult month spent at the hospital, where her son remained intubated and unable to communicate.

Despite his critical condition, moments of eye contact and hand squeezes provided her with fleeting hope.

On the day of the accident, Lara Cano was on his way to a mall in Liberia to collect a payment slip from the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS).

As he crossed the street, he was struck by a speeding truck that failed to respect traffic calming measures.

During the aftermath of the accident, Arelys Cano was unable to reach her son immediately due to her lack of a cellphone.

She was notified through her sister-in-law and arrived at the hospital half an hour later to find him in critical condition, with severe head and lung injuries.

Following his initial treatment, Jonathan was transferred to the Hospital del Trauma in San José on February 19. Arelys, who described her family as humble, stated that her son worked as a stock clerk and often expressed his desire to improve their living conditions, stating, "Mama, give me time to help you live better."

The trauma of watching her son so gravely injured extended beyond the hospital stay.

Arelys faced challenges with hospital personnel regarding empathy and communication during her son's recovery attempts, which included brain surgery.

The situation became increasingly dire, and despite some days of recovery, Jonathan ultimately succumbed to complications following an additional surgery.

Arelys reported her efforts to ascertain details about the situation after his death were met with struggles, as communication about the body was complicated by the legal responsibilities of the case.

Lara Cano was described by his mother as a dreamer.

He aspired not only to assist his family but also to fulfill personal dreams, such as owning a motorcycle and enjoying leisure time at the beach.

Arelys emphasized the significance of her time with her son, expressing a bittersweet appreciation for having been able to be by his side until the end.

The traffic incident remains under investigation by relevant authorities.

The family confirmed that the driver involved activated their insurance policy, which facilitated Jonathan’s medical treatment.

As preparations for Jonathan’s funeral proceed in Liberia, the family is seeking assistance to cover remaining funeral expenses.