MARINA DI PIETRASANTA (LUCCA) – A 17-year-old resident of Viareggio died and an 18-year-old was critically injured early this morning following a collision between a scooter and an SUV on the Marina di Pietrasanta seafront, near the border with Forte dei Marmi. The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. near the Twiga nightclub.
The victim, identified as Gabriele Martini, died at the scene of the impact. He was driving the scooter with an 18-year-old passenger when the vehicle collided with a Swiss-registered Range Rover that had reportedly executed a U-turn just prior to the crash.
The passenger sustained multiple injuries and was transported via Pegaso emergency helicopter to Cisanello Hospital in Pisa. Medical personnel report that while his condition remains critical, it is not currently life-threatening.
Following the collision, the occupants of the SUV abandoned the leased vehicle and fled the scene on foot without calling for emergency assistance. The seaside avenue was closed to traffic until morning to allow authorities to conduct rescue operations and accident reconstruction. Investigators noted an absence of skid marks on the road surface.
Driver Detained
In the afternoon, the driver of the SUV voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement by flagging down a police patrol. The individual was identified as Luigi Giordano, 27, originally from Catania, domiciled in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, and residing in Trezzano sul Naviglio (Milan). Giordano, who was vacationing in the area, has been arrested on charges of vehicular homicide.
Following his arrest, Giordano was taken to a local hospital to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol screenings.
The Carabinieri also identified and interviewed the two passengers who fled with Giordano:
- A 30-year-old woman from Foggia, identified as Giordano’s girlfriend.
- A 29-year-old woman from Piacenza.
Both women reside in the Milan area. According to investigators, the trio had traveled to Versilia for the weekend and spent the evening at the Twiga nightclub. Authorities have interviewed staff and security personnel at the venue as part of the ongoing investigation. Giordano faces potential charges of vehicular homicide and failure to render aid, while the two passengers face potential charges for failure to render aid.
Investigation
The Lucca Prosecutor’s Office is coordinating the legal proceedings. Martini’s body was transferred to the morgue at Versilia Hospital in Lido di Camaiore for processing.
Martini was a student at the Carlo Piaggia sports and science high school in Viareggio, a basketball player for the Camaiore Vela Basket club, and had recently qualified as an assistant lifeguard at the Bagno Lelia beach resort.
Local residents and classmates have gathered at the crash site to leave floral tributes.
