Tragedy at Monte Erice: driver investigated for road homicide after the death of two spectators

Marco Nicoletti, the Nisseno driver of the Peugeot 308 Tcr number 54 which yesterday, during the 68th Monte Erice time trial, went off the road causing the death of two young spectators, is under investigation for road homicide.

The Trapani Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation and also ordered toxicological tests on the pilot, who was not seriously injured. Registration in the register of suspects, it is underlined, does not constitute a finding of responsibility.

The victims are Giuseppe Bisconti and Karol Greco, two young friends from Belmonte Mezzagno who arrived in the Trapani area to watch the race. According to initial reconstructions, the Peugeot, after breaking a side wall and running over the protections made up of round bales, flew about 60 metres, ending up in the area where the two spectators, a course marshal and another pilot were.

Commissioner Mario Marchese was seriously injured and is hospitalized at the Sant'Antonio Abate hospital in Trapani due to chest trauma. Another competitor was also injured, but not in serious condition. The accident occurred at 11.37am, approximately one minute after the car set off. The alarm was raised from station number 9 to the race direction.

Among the hypotheses being examined by the investigators there is also a possible failure of the braking system, but the technical investigations on the car will establish the causes of the off-road. The experts appointed by the Prosecutor's Office will have to reconstruct the speed, trajectory, mechanical conditions of the car and the adequacy of the protections and safety distances. The race was immediately suspended and subsequently definitively stopped. Rescuers, law enforcement and the magistrate on duty attended the scene.

In Belmonte Mezzagno, the victims' town of origin, the mayor Maurizio Milone proclaimed the suspension of all events of the patronal feast of the Santissimo Crocifisso.

Citizen mourning also in Erice, where the mayor Daniela Toscano canceled the "Love San Giuliano" events. Condolence was expressed by the president of the Free Consortium of Trapani, Salvatore Quinci, and by the president of the Automobile Club Trapani, Giovanni Pellegrino.