An 87-year-old woman lost her life in a tragic accident after being knocked over by a five-year-old boy learning to ride a bicycle in a Milan park. The incident, which took place in 2023, led to a manslaughter investigation against the child’s father.
A Heartbreaking Accident
The elderly woman was walking with a friend in a park in Milan when the young boy, who was practicing cycling without stabilizers, accidentally lost control of his bike. He crashed into her at what was described as a “moderate speed,” causing her to fall and hit her head on the pavement.
Initially, the woman assured those around her that she was fine. However, the boy’s father, who had witnessed the collision, insisted on calling an ambulance as a precaution. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and despite the best efforts of medical staff, she later passed away in the hospital.
Father Faces Manslaughter Charges
Following the woman’s death, Italian prosecutors charged the boy’s father with manslaughter, arguing that he had failed to properly supervise his son, thereby creating a dangerous situation. They cited a legal principle stating that “not preventing an event, which one has the legal obligation to prevent, is equivalent to causing it.”
Had he been found guilty, the father could have faced a prison sentence as well as a financial penalty of up to €200,000 ($219,000) in compensation to the victim’s family.
Court Clears the Father of Any Criminal Responsibility
After reviewing the case, Milan’s investigating judge, Luigi Iannelli, ruled that the father was not criminally liable for the tragic accident. The court determined that the collision and its fatal consequences were unpredictable and happened too quickly for the father to intervene.
The judge criticized the tendency to assign blame for every accident, stating that not all unfortunate events are preventable or should be treated as criminal acts.
This heartbreaking case has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of parents when supervising their children in public spaces and whether tragic accidents like this should lead to legal action.
How is that kid and father not being charged with manslaughter? They just recklessly killed that poor woman!