UA serious road accident that occurred yesterday afternoon on state road 17, in the Rivisondoli area, on the arterial road that connects the Alto Sangro to the Peligna Valley and the Abruzzo coast, uncovered yet another scam targeting the elderly, but this time with a tragic outcome for the scammers.
Two men, Maurizio Corrado, 42, and Dario Liccardo, both from Marano di Napoli, lost their lives in a head-on collision between their Fiat Panda and a private bus from Varese headed to Sulmona, with 35 passengers on board.
The accident's toll is even more serious because, in addition to the two dead, there were also five injured. But the incident took on a more disturbing tone with the discovery, in the victims' car, of €1500 in cash and jewelry worth more than €30, likely the result of fraud or theft.
The dynamics of the accident
The accident occurred in the early afternoon yesterday, during heavy rain that had made the asphalt particularly treacherous. According to an initial reconstruction by the Carabinieri of the Castel di Sangro Company, coordinated by Captain Giuseppe Testa, the Fiat Panda, traveling towards Roccaraso, crossed into the oncoming lane, possibly due to a loss of control caused by the adverse weather conditions.
The impact with the bus was extremely violent and left no escape for the two occupants of the car, who died instantly.
Emergency medical personnel, who responded with two ambulances and an air ambulance from L'Aquila, could only confirm the victims' deaths. Five bus passengers, all in non-critical condition, were treated on the scene and subsequently transferred to local hospitals for further evaluation.
The bus driver, unharmed but in shock, has been registered as a suspect for road homicide, as required, and has cooperated with law enforcement.
The investigation was carried out by Carabinieri from the Pescocostanzo and Roccaraso stations and the Mobile Radio Unit, supported by firefighters from the Sangrino detachment, who worked extensively to extract the bodies from the twisted metal of the Panda. The ANAS (National Highway Code) temporarily closed the road to allow for rescue operations and the removal of the vehicles.
The Mystery of Jewels and Money
Adding to the complexity of the matter was the discovery, inside the Fiat Panda, of €1500 in cash and jewelry estimated to be worth over €30. The two men, both with criminal records for fraud against the elderly, had been stopped a few hours earlier by a traffic police patrol on the road to Chieti, a detail that also allowed them to quickly identify Liccardo, who was undocumented.
Investigators, coordinated by Sulmona prosecutor Luciano D'Angelo and deputy prosecutor Edoardo Mariotti, are investigating to determine the source of the money and valuables. The most likely hypothesis is that the two were returning from a robbery in Abruzzo, likely a scam or robbery targeting vulnerable people, such as the elderly.
The investigation is now focusing on any recent reports in the area and any possible connections to other similar incidents, to identify the victims of the crimes committed by the two.
A high-risk stretch of road
La strada state 17The scene of the tragedy is known for its dangerousness, especially in bad weather. The heavy rain that fell yesterday afternoon may have contributed to the Panda's loss of traction, causing the fatal skid. Investigators are conducting further technical tests to confirm the circumstances and determine whether there were other causes, such as a mechanical failure or distracted driving.
The community in shock
News of the accident and the circumstances surrounding it have shaken the community of Rivisondoli and surrounding areas, already plagued by incidents of petty crime. The discovery of jewelry and cash in the car of the two Neapolitans has fueled questions and concerns among residents, who are calling for increased security and stricter controls.
I police The Castel di Sangro Company is working tirelessly to reconstruct the victims' latest movements and identify the possible targets of their criminal activities. The Sulmona Prosecutor's Office, which is coordinating the investigation, has ordered further investigations to shed light on a story that combines human tragedy and shadows of criminality.
Article published by Giuseppe Del Gaudio on July 27, 2025, at 14:10 PM
Comments (1)
This article is very sad and makes us think about how dangerous driving in adverse weather conditions can be, but also about the seemingly never-ending issue of scams targeting the elderly. We hope the authorities take appropriate measures.