On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, a three‑vehicle collision on the regional road SR 445 in Castelnuovo Garfagnana claimed the life of 58‑year‑old Marco Mazzon of Barga and left five others, including the driver, in serious condition. The driver was a 17‑year‑old who was operating the car without a licence or a learner’s permit (foglio rosa), a fact highlighted in local reports.
The crash occurred in the late morning, around noon, near the Volcascio area of the Garfagnana. According to La Nazione, the three vehicles involved were a Fiat Cinquecento L, an Opel, and another minivan. The teen was behind the wheel of the Cinquecento, with his father, Marco Mazzon, seated as a passenger. Mazzon died at the scene, while the son sustained injuries that required hospitalisation in a “code giallo” (moderate) condition.
The accident also injured a 17‑year‑old passenger, a man and a woman from one vehicle, and two women from the other. All five survivors were classified with “code giallo” injuries. The teenage driver was taken to the hospital in Lucca, the man and woman to the Garfagnana hospital, and the two women to the Lucca hospital, as detailed by the same source.
Emergency services from several local volunteer organisations responded quickly. Ambulances from the Misericordia of Castelnuovo, the Red Cross of Bagni di Lucca, the Misericordia of Barghigiano, as well as units from Camporgiano and Pian di Coreglia were on the scene, providing first aid and transporting the injured to the appropriate hospitals.
Road authorities closed SR 445 for several hours while rescuers worked at the crash site. The closure caused significant traffic delays, but the road was reopened by late morning, allowing normal flow to resume, according to the reports.
Investigation underway
Carabinieri investigators have taken charge of the case, examining why a minor without a licence or foglio rosa was allowed to drive, and why Mazzon consented to his son taking the wheel. The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not released further details at this stage.
Community reaction
Marco Mazzon was a well‑known baker in Barga and a longtime volunteer with the Misericordia of Barghigiano. His death has resonated deeply in the Garfagnana region, where residents expressed sorrow and concern over road safety. Local media, including Giornale di Barga, highlighted his community involvement and the shock felt by neighbours.
Friends and neighbours described Mazzon as a dedicated volunteer who often helped with emergency response efforts. The loss of such a figure underscores the broader impact of the tragedy beyond the immediate victims.
Legal context
Italian traffic regulations require drivers under 18 to hold a learner’s permit (foglio rosa) and to be accompanied by a qualified adult. The fact that the driver was operating the vehicle without either a licence or a foglio rosa raises questions about compliance with these rules and the circumstances that led to the fatal decision to let the teenager drive.
What’s next?
Authorities will continue their investigation, focusing on the circumstances that allowed the 17‑year‑old to drive and the factors contributing to the collision. Updates are expected from the Carabinieri as they complete their preliminary findings.
Readers with additional information are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. For ongoing coverage, stay tuned to time.news and share your thoughts in the comments.
