An unlicensed 18-year-old driver fatally struck a 71-year-old man riding his bicycle in Villorba, a district of Treviso, in a devastating late-summer crash that has sparked an investigation into vehicular homicide. The teen, reportedly driving a red Fiat 500 without his mother’s permission, killed the cyclist in Treviso after losing control of the vehicle.
The victim, Diego Lapaine, was a retired vice principal at Treviso Technical Institute and a teacher at Da Vinci High School. He was cycling along Via Trento in the Lancenigo area when the car, coming from the opposite lane, collided with him head-on. Witnesses said the impact threw Lapaine several meters, landing him inside a private garden adjacent to the road. His bicycle became tangled in a nearby fence.
Legal action underway as residents raise concerns
Emergency medical services from Suem, along with local police and the Carabinieri, responded to the scene. Several passersby and medics tried to revive Lapaine, but he died at the site of the crash. Authorities later confirmed he died instantly due to the force of the collision.
The Treviso Prosecutor’s Office has opened a formal case for vehicular homicide. Police said the young driver, who remained at the scene in a state of shock, will also face charges for operating a vehicle without a license and for multiple traffic violations.
Speed and road conditions cited in investigation
Preliminary findings suggest that the car was traveling at high speed toward Fontane when it may have hit a speed bump, causing the driver to lose control. Investigators believe this was a contributing factor in the accident.
Local residents described Via Trento as a hazardous stretch of road often used for speeding and reckless driving. They said they have repeatedly alerted authorities about the dangers along that road, particularly regarding unsafe overtaking and a lack of proper enforcement.
Officials continue to examine surveillance footage and gather statements from witnesses to determine the full circumstances of the crash.
