The scent of freshly brewed coffee still lingered in the air of the Autieri household on the morning of June 5th, 2026, a stark contrast to the chilling news that would soon shatter their peace. Riccardo Autieri, a 66-year-old structural engineer from Pozzuoli, a man described by his children as ‘good, open, and much loved,’ had been killed in a tragic scooter accident on the Naples Tangenziale.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 4th, around 6 PM, on the Agnano-Astroni stretch of the Tangenziale. Autieri, riding a scooter, was involved in a rear-end collision with a car driven by a 45-year-old man. The driver immediately stopped to render aid and has since been reported for vehicular homicide. For the Autieri family, however, the immediate shock has given way to a desperate plea for truth.
A Family’s Grief and a Quest for Answers
Guido and Lorenzo Autieri, Riccardo’s sons, spoke on behalf of their mother Patrizia and younger brother Andrea, their voices tinged with sorrow and a yearning for understanding. “We want to know the truth about the accident,” Guido, 35, also an engineer, stated. “I work with my father both in his studio and for Gnosis Progetti. Dad was riding my scooter, and I could have been with him. We bear no grudge, but knowing the truth is a way to find peace.”
The family learned of the tragedy around 8 PM on Wednesday when police officers arrived at their home. “The police knocked on our door at 8 PM, the officers asked us to follow them. We immediately understood that dad had been in an accident. Confirmation was given to us at the police station. We haven’t seen our father yet, his body is under seizure. We only know that he died almost instantly,” Guido recounted, the raw pain evident in his words.
The State Police are investigating the incident on behalf of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. An autopsy, scheduled for Monday, is expected to provide further crucial details regarding the cause of death and the dynamics of the collision.
A Life Dedicated to Engineering and Community
Riccardo Autieri was not just a father and husband; he was a highly respected engineer whose expertise touched projects across Italy. “He was an engineer very competent and with an architectural sensibility: he was able to find structural solutions when others thought it was not possible,” his sons proudly shared. For Gnosis Progetti, he oversaw projects such as the National Library of Florence and the Museum of Emigration in Genoa, as well as local initiatives like Rione Terra, Spazio Obù, and Habita79 in Pompeii.
His commitment extended beyond his professional work. Riccardo was deeply involved in addressing the bradyseism emergency in the Campi Flegrei area, both personally and through the structures commission of the Order of Engineers, coordinated by Marco Di Ludovico. “He loved his land. After the tremors, he carried out inspections in homes with Guido, free of charge, to reassure the population and those who had suffered damage,” his sons revealed. He advocated for incentives and worked on the seismic upgrading of the ITIS of Pozzuoli.
Riccardo Autieri’s life was also marked by a passion for football, with many in Arco Felice remembering his goals for the local team. “He gave so much, he never held back,” his family emphasized.
The Unanswered Questions and the Search for Peace
The family remains in the dark about the precise dynamics of the accident. “We have no information, nor do we know who the individuals involved are. An investigation is underway,” Guido explained. “We know that the autopsy should take place on Monday, and only then will we have more precise news. These are hours of waiting for us. We children have rallied around our mother: she and dad had been together since they were teenagers. Now we want to know the truth about the dynamics of the accident. We are not interested in blame, we hold no rancor towards anyone. It was a tragedy, but it is right and necessary to know.”
Riccardo Autieri leaves behind a legacy of dedication, kindness, and professional excellence. His three sons, Guido, Lorenzo (32, an architect), and Andrea (25, a recent graduate in Management Engineering and former youth footballer for Genoa and Turin), are following in his footsteps, a testament to the profound impact he had on their lives.
Tributes have poured in from friends, the Mayor of Pozzuoli, the Order of Engineers of Naples, and Gnosis Progetti, where he was the head of the structures department. His memory will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those who knew him and in the enduring structures he helped bring to life.
Source: https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2026/06/06/news/riccardo_autieri_ingegnere_morto_tangenziale_napoli_incidente-425393103/
