A 20-year-old Rieti basketball fan has confessed to throwing the stone that killed a bus driver on Sunday. Kevin Pellecchia was arrested with two other far-right sympathisers after police intercepted his phone at headquarters. He reportedly admitted throwing the rock that struck driver Raffaele Marianella.
“It was the sharpest one,” Pellecchia allegedly said during a wiretap.
The bus, carrying Pistoia basketball supporters, was attacked by Rieti fans on the A2 highway after the game. Pistoia had beaten Rieti 88-73 in the second-tier match. Police have questioned several Rieti supporters as part of the investigation into the fatal incident.
The victim, 65-year-old Marianella, was originally from Rome but lived in Florence. He had worked for Jimmy Travel, the company operating the coach, for only a few months.
He was the second driver and sat beside his colleague at the wheel when the stone, thrown by the Rieti fan, hit.
Marianella was described as close to retirement and known as a kind, quiet man by friends and colleagues.
