Naples, engineer Autieri dies: driver investigated for road homicide

The driver of the car involved in the tragic accident that claimed the life of Riccardo Autieri, 66, a well-known engineer from Pozzuoli, is under investigation for vehicular homicide on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred on the Naples ring road , between the Agnano junction and the Astroni barrier, heading towards Pozzuoli.

The general sequence of events is now clear, but the cause of the violent impact remains unclear. The images recorded by the video surveillance system installed along that stretch of road, currently being examined by investigators, will be crucial.

According to an initial reconstruction, Autieri was riding his scooter when he was hit by a car. The impact threw him from the two-wheeler, causing him to crash first into the windshield of a Citroën driven by a 45-year-old man and then onto the asphalt.

A devastating impact left him with no chance of survival, despite wearing a protective helmet. Emergency medical personnel, who promptly arrived on the scene, could only pronounce him dead.

The accident occurred around 5:45 PM, about seven hundred meters from the toll booths of the ring road, on an uphill stretch that the engineer usually took on his way home after work.

The autopsy and the investigations of the Highway Police

The Prosecutor's Office has ordered the seizure of the body and the performance of an autopsy, entrusting the unrepeatable technical examination to the forensic doctors of the Second Polyclinic of Naples . The autopsy will precisely clarify the cause of death and provide further information useful to the investigation.

The investigation is being coordinated by the Naples Highway Police, who are working to reconstruct every phase of the accident. According to initial findings, the collision between the two vehicles occurred between the first and second lanes.

Investigators are examining several hypotheses, ranging from possible driver distraction to an incorrect maneuver while overtaking or re-entering the lane by one of the two vehicles involved. Only analysis of the cameras and technical investigations will confirm or rule out these scenarios.

After the accident, the 45-year-old driver stopped to provide assistance. Clearly in shock, he was taken to the hospital for routine toxicology tests. He was subsequently charged with vehicular homicide. The car and scooter involved in the crash were also seized.

The pain of the Pozzuoli community

The news of Riccardo Autieri's death has sparked deep shock in Pozzuoli and throughout the professional community where the engineer was well-known and respected. He had recently worked at Malpensa Airport.

Numerous messages from friends and acquaintances were posted on social media. Among these, a particularly touching one was a friend who described him as "an exemplary father and husband, a highly esteemed professional, as well as a dear and precious friend," emphasizing his elegance, humanity, and his always available and smiling personality.

Mayor Manzoni's message

The mayor of Pozzuoli, Luigi Manzoni, also joined the hundreds of condolences.

"I am sincerely and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Riccardo Autieri," the mayor stated. "Riccardo was a person respected by all, not only for the great professionalism he brought to his work every day, but above all for his human qualities: his seriousness, kindness, his ever-present smile, and his willingness to help others."

Manzoni then expressed the entire city's sympathy to the victim's family: "His loss leaves a profound void in all those who were fortunate enough to know him and share a part of his life with him. To his wife, children, brother, and all his family, I extend my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences on behalf of the entire Pozzuoli community."