Three teenagers tragically lost their lives in a car accident as the vehicle, carrying a total of nine individuals, veered into a canal following an 18th birthday celebration. The group was on their way back from commemorating a friend’s milestone birthday at a club in Lainate, Italy, when the devastating incident occurred.
The fatal crash claimed the lives of Lorenzo Benin and Riccardo Provasi, both 17 years old, and Camilla Copparoni, who had recently turned 18. The car, a five-seater Audi A2, was overloaded with nine occupants aged between 17 and 19 at the time of the collision.
Authorities reported that the 19-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle near a bend on a poorly lit road around 5:30 am. The Audi collided with a tree, overturned, and ended up submerged in a canal in Senago. Despite rescue efforts, Camilla succumbed to her injuries before reaching the hospital, while the bodies of the two 17-year-olds were found trapped inside the car by fire service divers.
The six surviving occupants, hailing from Paderno Dugnano and Cusano Milanino, sustained fractures and bruises from the crash. The driver, Gabriele Popovici from Cormano, tested positive for alcohol with a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit for new drivers in Italy.
Gabriele, who was apprehended on suspicion of aggravated multiple vehicular manslaughter, was taken to a hospital in Milan under police supervision due to his state of shock. Authorities suspect that excessive speed also played a role in the tragic accident.
Most of the individuals in the vehicle were longtime friends associated with the amateur football club Cusano Calcio. They will be interrogated once their medical conditions permit. Meanwhile, Camilla was a volleyball player for Jolly Palazzolo Milanese, and the deceased teenagers resided in Paderno Dugnano.
A relative described Camilla as a beautiful and reserved individual, highlighting her recent return from a school holiday with friends before the unforeseen tragedy. Lorenzo, Riccardo, and Gabriele were involved in football activities with the amateur club Cob 91 in Cormano, where they also pursued studies in Finance and Marketing.
Gabriele faces further questioning as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
