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🇮🇹 Italy /Crime & Justice

Reckless Overtake Kills Cyclist; Driver Tests Negative for Alcohol

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • A woman was killed and others injured after a car driver attempted a dangerous overtaking maneuver.
  • The incident occurred on a road with a continuous white line, indicating no overtaking.
  • The driver tested negative for alcohol, but investigations are ongoing.

A tragic accident on Statale 186 near Pioppo, Monreale, has claimed the life of Nicoleta Rusu, a 41-year-old Romanian cyclist.

Rusu was cycling with a group of friends when a Fiat 500X, driven by Giuseppe Lucia, 38, attempted an overtaking maneuver on a stretch of road marked with a continuous white line, signaling no passing.

We want to remember you like this Nicoleta. With your contagious and sunny smile, just as contagious was your love for cycling. Today, yet another road homicide, still by a hit-and-run driver, has taken a life from us. All of this is no longer acceptable, no longer bearable. To her family, to our dear Andrea Calandra and to the president of ASD Sport e Nutrition, our embrace and our most heartfelt condolences.

— Federciclismo SiciliaA statement mourning Nicoleta Rusu and condemning the incident.

The car collided with the cyclists, killing Rusu instantly. Her partner, who was cycling at the front of the group, miraculously avoided the vehicle. Another cyclist sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital, while the fourth friend was unharmed.

Only a criminal can overtake on that stretch of road. It is a tragedy for all of us. Our cyclist was mown down and had no escape. The injuries sustained in the collision are terrible. One cannot die like this.

— Fabrizio CavaliereA regional cycling committee member expressed shock and anger over the accident.

Lucia, the driver, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Alcohol and drug tests were conducted, with the alcohol test returning negative. The Public Prosecutor's office is overseeing the investigation, involving the local police and carabinieri.

Cycling federations expressed outrage, condemning the reckless driving and calling for better legal protections for cyclists. This incident follows another tragic death of a young cyclist, 14-year-old Adele Cobelli, who was killed by a car while training in Trentino just days earlier.

We have long put forward legislative proposals to protect cyclists. We need a law to protect registered members but also housewives. Of course, what happened today goes against all rules and regulations. One cannot drive like this.

— Diego GuardìThe president of Federciclismo Sicilia called for legislative action to protect cyclists.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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