English teacher 'crushed to death by high bulldozer' driver on beach
A bulldozer driver who crushed a teacher to death was allegedly high on cocaine when he reversed the huge machine over her on a beach.
Grandmother Elisa Spadavecchia was on holiday in Pinarella di Cervia, near Bologna, with her ex-husband when the man reportedly operating without a license was undertaking work on the sand. The 66-year-old had been out for a walk when her former partner became concerned after she did not return.
She had decided to sunbathe on the beach and was found dead late last month in horrific circumstances. Suspect Lerry Gnoli, 54, is accused of steering the 25-tonne vehicle straight over the unaware holidaymaker as she relaxed. Investigations continue and it has has reportedly been charged with manslaughter.
Now the Sun claim Gnoli had taken cocaine before operating the bulldozer. The publication also suggests he has been charged with manslaughter and labour violations, after it emerged he had been banned from driving in 2023 when he was found to have killed an 83-year-old man while also under the influence of the drug.
Despite the driving conviction, the man was still permitted to operate construction vehicles, as long as he avoided public roads. Gnoli's lawyer, Vittoria Manes, said his client is 'terribly sorry' for the 'huge tragedy'. He added: 'He can't understand how it could have happened and sends his condolences to the woman's family."
Her ex Giovanne Sfregola used the 'Find My iPhone ' feature to track down his ex-partner, but says he is now in an 'ocean of pain' because of what he found. The retired told local media: "My wife went for her walk carrying only her phone. When it happened, she had nothing on her that could identify her.
"Not seeing her come back, I started calling her, but she didn't answer. Once I found it, I got someone to take me to the exact spot where, sadly, I found my wife. They didn't let me see her, but they told me that even the lifeguard who witnessed the scene fell ill and ended up in hospital.'
He added: 'We were over the moon since my daughter's child was born. He's not even three months old yet. Now, for us, it's just an ocean of pain. Something devastating that consumes you inside because you can't come to terms with it.'
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