Tragic accident at Milano: Woman hit and killed by truck on pedestrian crossing.

Milano was the scene of a tragedy that deeply shook the city. Rocio Espinoza Romero, a 34-year-old woman of Peruvian origin, was hit and killed by a truck while she was crossing the pedestrian crossing on Viale Renato Serra, in the Portello area. The victim was accompanied by her two twins, just over a year old, in a stroller, and the children's grandmother, who miraculously remained unharmed.

The dynamics of the accident

The dramatic event occurred when Rocio was crossing the street at the traffic light with Via Scarampo, an area where the traffic of cars and heavy vehicles is incessant and, according to residents, often too fast. Although the traffic light was green for the truck too, the driver should have given priority to pedestrians on the crosswalk. However, the truck hit the woman, dragging her for at least five meters. The force of the impact was fatal, and Rocio died instantly.

By a hair's breadth, the stroller with the two children and the victim's grandmother were not hit. Both were taken to the hospital for checks, but fortunately they did not suffer serious injuries.

The driver's escape and arrest

The truck driver fled immediately after the accident, without providing assistance. However, he was tracked down a couple of hours later in Arluno, in the Milan area, while he was working in a quarry. Arrested on charges of aggravated road homicide by fleeing, the man tested negative to alcohol. Investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to determine whether he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.

The heavy vehicle was seized to allow for technical investigations. According to initial findings, the truck complied with the ordinance requiring the installation of devices to eliminate blind spots, a measure adopted after similar accidents in the past.

A drama that repeats itself

Rocio's death reignites the debate on road safety in Milano and in Italy. The dynamics of the accident bring to mind other tragic episodes, such as that of Cristina Scozia, hit and killed by a cement mixer in 2023 while cycling on a cycle path in the city centre.

According to the Sapidata Observatory of Asaps (Association of Traffic Police Supporters), Rocio is the tenth pedestrian hit and killed in just seven days in Italy. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 419 pedestrian victims, with Lombardy in first place among the most affected regions.

The investigations and the demand for justice

The Prosecutor's Office Milano, under the direction of the prosecutor Paola Biondolillo and the prosecutor Marcello Viola, is conducting an investigation to clarify all responsibilities. The surveillance cameras that filmed the accident will be analyzed and technical consultations will be carried out on the truck to verify whether there were malfunctions or negligence.

The city's reaction

The tragedy has sparked a wave of emotion and indignation. Tomorrow evening, at the site of the accident, a protest promoted by the association Città delle Persone, entitled “Fermiamoci tutti” (Let's all stop). The promoters are asking for a day of mourning and a total traffic block for Saturday, December 21 or the following day, as a symbolic gesture to reflect on road safety and the urgency of concrete measures.

The tragic death of Rocio Espinoza Romero is a reminder of the need to improve road safety, especially for pedestrians, and to strengthen compliance with the rules by all road users. Her death is an incalculable pain for her family and the community, but it can be a starting point to seek justice and prevent future tragedies.

While Milano a young mother cries and gathers around her children, the entire society must reflect on how to make our streets safe places for everyone. So that tragedies like this never happen again.