The driver of the truck involved in the crash this morning that claimed the life of 2011 Giro d’Italia champion Michele Scarponi failed to give way at a junction and said he “did not see” the cyclist, according to press reports in Italy.
Scarponi, aged 37, died at the scene of the collision which happened at 8 o’clock this morning while he was on a training ride in his home town of Filottrano in the country’s Marche region.
> Tributes paid to Michele Scarponi
Pictures on the website of regional newspaper Il Resto del Carlino show extensive damage to the front of the Fiat Iveco flatbed lorry, including a smashed windscreen.
The newspaper says that the driver, a local man aged 57, failed to give way to Scarponi at a crossroads, and that the driver told Caribinieri officers afterwards that he had not seen the cyclist.
The Astana rider’s funeral is likely to be held in his home town’s sports centre through the wishes of his family as well as the expected number of mourners, according to the newspaper.
In a post on Instagram showing Scarponi preparing for a race with his twin sons nearby, his wife Anna expressed her thanks to everyone who has offered their condolences, on a day that has left the world of professional cycling united in shock and grief.
10 thoughts on “Reports: Driver of truck in crash that killed Michele Scarponi failed to give way and “didn’t see” cyclist”
Warning: the italian
Warning: the italian newspaper site linked to above includes 2 photos with Scarponi in the picture, one with his body in the background of a shot of the truck, the other unbelievably shows his grieving wife kneeling over his body. Ffs.
CygnusX1 wrote:
Thanks for warning. Italian media rarely has a decency filter – from having watched a lot of motorsport over the years they have no qualms about showing fatal accidents and their aftermath in all the lurid detail possible – preferably in super slomo. I remember watching the Italian Eurosport feed of when Senna & Ratzenberger died, just horrible compared to the BBC’s approach.
If he didn’t see him, he
If he didn’t see him, he couldn’t have looked properly (if he looked at all).
Not sure how it is now but
Not sure how it is now but under Italian law it used to be that SOMEONE had to be found to blame in situations like this (i.e. nothing is an accident). Hopefully it’s still the case.
Arh, “did not see” the
Arh, “did not see” the universal get out of jail free card. Give the driver his keys back!
Whilst it’s no excuse, what
Whilst it’s no excuse, what else is someone going to say?
“I saw the cyclist but decided to hit them anyway.”?
How you fail to see someone
How you fail to see someone in the Astana kit is beyond me. I heard yeasterday on Eurosport every 35 hours someone in Italy is killed cycling. Why in this world do we make motorised vehicles king? Get behind a wheel and carte blanche to cause death and devastation with little consequence.
Agree about the photos on the Italian website they are truely shocking.
RIP Michele.
I have no issue with those
I have no issue with those photos – maybe if the fatal consequences of motorist’s actions weren’t so sanitizied by UK coverage, they might hit home a little more
beezus fufoon wrote:
Point well made, I still recall vividly when I visited a fire station to see the consequences of an accident at speed. The sight of a mangled mess of steel so bad that the type of car was indistinguishable; with the remnants of blood clearly visible made a lasting impression. That was 30 years ago.
Recently there were reports
Recently there were reports of the ” Safe Pass by 1.5M LAW ” passing through the Italian Senate ?
Within recent years the Italian Government proclaimed a ” Road Murder Law ” so it will be of great interest to see reports , of what Prosecution will result from this Incident ?
What disappoints me is that NOBODY is taking issue with the fact that ” UCI ” continues to collect Pro FEES from the RACERS , yet does little for their Members that USE the roads for the Training !
Why do the Racers accept this situation ?
” UCI ” could create a ” Common set of Rules ” , pass them to the National Cycling Fedrations , who in turn would LOBBY their National Governments for implementation ! People who USE BIKES would then be able to go to ANY Country and ride with confidence .
In many countries i have seen the Policing Authorities training Children on Road Safety , as young as 5yo , as part of their School corriculum . These Children rarely grow into the OBESE , that are prelevant in the English Speaking Countries !
How hard would it be for ” Policing Authorities ” to follow the example of ” West Midland Police ” , with the USE of the ” Safe Pass MAT “? It astounds me that the original cost was reported as GBP900 and a ” Fund Raiser ” will build them for GBP300 each ( https://beyondthekerb.org.uk/2017/03/31/flaw-on-the-floor/#comment-7690 yet i was able to create a similar ” Safe Pass MAT ” , albeit of lesser quality for ” Peanuts “!
A visit to https://www.facebook.com/Vision-ZERO-Worldwide-540123632761709/ will give you the details of materials and tools needed !
IF Cycling Clubs were to create their own , then they could HELP EDUCATE the Public at Sporting Events , SCHOOLS , Transport & Bus Companies , Councils & Policing Authorities and other Associations such as Rotary , etc ? Doubt that cabbie groups would understand what SAFEGUARDING Pople on BIKES involves , unless it was to protect the panelwork ?