Naples – The 93-year-old man who was struck on November 7th at the pedestrian crossing on Via Simone Martini in Vomero died yesterday at Cardarelli Hospital, where he had been in critical condition since his admission.
The injuries sustained – particularly the very serious fracture of the femur complicated by the severing of the femoral artery – proved fatal despite the efforts of the medical staff.
With the victim's death, the situation of the driver who struck him has worsened considerably. The 80-year-old driver of the car that struck the elderly couple is now under investigation for vehicular homicide. The charge thus shifts from serious road injuries to a much more serious one, which could carry significant criminal consequences.
The dynamics of the accident
The accident occurred on one of the busiest thoroughfares in the hilly neighborhood. The couple—local residents and well-known in the neighborhood—were crossing at the pedestrian crossing when they were struck by the car driven by the 80-year-old. Despite the signage, the area is often the scene of fast traffic and reckless maneuvers by drivers.
The impact was extremely violent. The 93-year-old suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured femur with a severed femoral artery, a vascular injury that required immediate emergency surgery. His condition appeared beyond recovery from the moment of rescue, especially given the victim's advanced age.
The wife is still hospitalized
His 88-year-old wife was also seriously injured in the accident. She remains hospitalized at the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Posillipo. Her condition, while less critical than her husband's, still requires hospital care and constant monitoring.
Investigations underway
The 80-year-old driver stopped immediately after the accident to provide first aid, despite being clearly in shock. Municipal Police officers conducted technical and forensic examinations at the accident site to accurately reconstruct the dynamics of the collision.
Authorities are now analyzing surveillance camera footage in the area and interviewing any witnesses. The goal is to clarify every detail needed to determine responsibility: from the speed of the car at the time of the collision to compliance with pedestrian priority rules.
An increasingly tragic toll
The death of the 93-year-old dramatically increases the number of road fatalities in Naples and its province. A grim record of 19 pedestrian deaths calls for urgent reflection at all levels: from the institutions responsible for ensuring urban safety to motorists, who are required to strictly adhere to the Highway Code.
The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians—especially the elderly—in the urban fabric of Naples. The local community was deeply shocked by the incident, which reignited the debate on the need for concrete measures to protect the most vulnerable road users.
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Comments (1)
It's very sad to hear of another road fatality. This accident shows how dangerous it is to crosswalks, especially for the elderly. We must consider how to improve safety for everyone.