Driver overtaking on solid line kills 41-year-old cyclist near Palermo, two injured
A 41-year-old woman died on the spot Sunday when a car performing an illegal overtake struck her and two other cyclists on a road near Palermo. The driver, who crossed a solid line, tested negative for alcohol.
A deadly overtake
On Sunday morning, 21 June, a Fiat 500X driven by 38-year-old Giuseppe Lucia was traveling along state road SS186 toward Pioppo, a hamlet of Monreale on the outskirts of Palermo. In a stretch where the center line was solid and overtaking is prohibited, Lucia attempted to pass three vehicles, crossing into the opposite lane. The oncoming lane was occupied by three cyclists pedaling toward Palermo. The car struck them head-on, leaving no room to avoid the impact.
Victim and survivors
The fatal victim was Mirela Nicoletta Rusu, a 41-year-old woman who died at the scene. Her partner, riding alongside her, was transported to the emergency room in a state of shock. A third cyclist from the group was taken by ambulance to the Ingrassia hospital in Palermo under yellow code; his injuries are not life-threatening. Both survivors gave statements to the Carabinieri officers from the Pioppo and Monreale stations and to the Municipal Police, who are jointly reconstructing the exact dynamics of the crash.
Driver and legal response
Giuseppe Lucia, who was alone in the vehicle, was not injured. He underwent an alcohol breathalyzer test at the scene, which returned a negative result. The Palermo prosecutor’s office, led by Maurizio de Lucia, is investigating the driver for road homicide. After the necessary formalities, the body of Mirela Rusu was returned to her family.
Federation tribute
Federciclismo Sicilia, the regional cycling body, posted a message on Facebook mourning the loss and denouncing the incident as another road death caused by a motorist.
We want to remember you like this, Nicoleta. With your contagious and sunny smile, just as contagious as your love for the bicycle. Today, yet another road homicide, again at the hands of a motorist, has taken a life from us.
