Deadly Crash in Rome Claims Delivery Driver’s Life, Sparks Manhunt
A 67-year-old man was killed early this morning in Rome after a Mercedes collided with his delivery van on Via Ettore Rolli, prompting a police investigation and a search for a suspect who fled the scene. The incident adds to a growing toll of traffic fatalities in the Italian capital, raising concerns about road safety.
Roberto Sabbatini, a local resident, died instantly when the Mercedes, described by witnesses as traveling at an extremely high rate of speed, struck his Dacia dokker van at approximately 4:30 a.m. Sabbatini was delivering bread and croissants to local bars and diners at the time of the crash.
According to police reports, the Mercedes, a Class A 250, careened out of control, impacting a dumpster and damaging five parked vehicles along Via Rolli near the intersection with Via Bernardino Passeri. A parked Jeep was even overturned by the force of the collision. The impact was so severe that residents reported being awakened by the sound of shattering glass and twisted metal.
Authorities are currently pursuing the driver of the Mercedes, who allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot after the accident. The passenger in the Mercedes,a 33-year-old Italian man and the registered owner of the vehicle,was taken to San Camillo hospital with a dislocated hip and is cooperating with investigators. He has reportedly identified his friend as the driver.He now faces potential charges of vehicular homicide and failure to provide assistance.
“My wife’s Fiat 500 needs to be thrown away,” stated one eyewitness, identified as Mr. Angelo, 50, who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. “I rushed to Via Rolli and saw a man still inside the Mercedes, on the passenger side. He was conscious, he was screaming.”
Another witness, a 20-year-old identified as Marco, recounted seeing the Mercedes speeding recklessly prior to the accident.”I was stopped with my car at the traffic lights… Suddenly, from behind, came the Mercedes. He ran the red light at a crazy speed, going at least 150 mph,” Marco explained.”It was an unreal scene.”
Police from the X Gruppo Mare are meticulously reconstructing the events leading up to the crash, examining security camera footage and gathering witness testimonies.
This tragedy comes amidst a surge in traffic-related deaths in Rome. As of today, December 18, 2025, the city has recorded 108 fatalities within its municipal boundaries, averaging nearly three deaths per day. This figure does not include accidents occurring in the broader metropolitan area.
Just yesterday, Maurizio Roccia, 58, was killed in a collision with an Iveco truck while riding a Honda SH scooter on Via Cristoforo Colombo.The truck driver was subjected to standard alcohol and drug testing.
the recent death of Marius Razvan Damian, a 20-year-old who succumbed to injuries sustained in a scooter accident on December 7th after a week-long hospitalization, further
Why: A Mercedes driver, speeding and running a red light, collided with a delivery van.
Who: Roberto Sabbatini, 67, the delivery driver, was killed.The Mercedes driver fled the scene and is being sought
