Overview
- Assistant Chief Coordinator Aniello Scarpati, 47, died after a BMW X4 crossed into the opposite lane and struck a patrol car on Viale Europa around 2 a.m.
- The suspected driver, a 28-year-old identified as Tommaso S., was detained at a hospital after initially fleeing and tested positive for cocaine.
- Investigators report the patrol car was thrown into a ravine, while Scarpati’s colleague, Ciro Cozzolino, underwent surgery and remains in serious condition.
- Authorities are reviewing CCTV, witness accounts and forensic tests, with conflicting reports on whether five or six people were in the SUV and if minors were among them.
- National and local leaders, including President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, issued condolences as the city prepared civic mourning measures.