Milan, June 24 – Francesco Imprezzabile, a 39-year-old Milan local police officer, tragically died on Monday evening after falling from his service motorcycle during a high-speed pursuit. The incident occurred between Ponte Lambro and Peschiera Borromeo, in the eastern hinterland of Milan. The pursuit involved an Audi Q8 SUV, which had reportedly sped away after encountering a police roadblock.
Officer Imprezzabile Dies in Fatal Fall
The chase began in the outskirts of Milan and continued into Peschiera Borromeo. Officer Imprezzabile, riding his service motorcycle, was in pursuit of the Audi Q8, a rented vehicle that had accelerated upon seeing the roadblock. Several road police patrols were also involved in the high-speed chase.
Shortly after 9:00 PM, for reasons still under investigation, Officer Imprezzabile’s motorcycle crashed. The fall proved fatal for the 39-year-old officer. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, arrived at Via Milano, a narrow two-lane road near Linate Airport. Despite efforts, Officer Imprezzabile succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to Niguarda Hospital.
Driver Arrested, Investigation Underway
On Tuesday morning, the abandoned Audi Q8 SUV was located in Pioltello, about ten kilometers from the accident site. The vehicle, which was rented and possibly had a cloned license plate, led investigators to a 27-year-old Albanian man. He was subsequently tracked down and arrested, along with a compatriot, in the province of Monza and Brianza by local police forces from Monza and Milan.
The arrested driver, identified as B.G., was already under an obligation to sign in for a previous offense. He has been charged with dangerous escape (Article 192, paragraph 7 bis of the Highway Code) and is under investigation for vehicular homicide. During his interrogation with public prosecutor Francesca Crupi, B.G. stated, “I had some hashish on me, and since I was under an obligation to sign in, I ran away when they stopped me. I didn’t see him fall, I didn’t touch him.” He claimed to have only learned of the officer’s death through websites during the night and had considered turning himself in before being located by authorities at a friend’s house in Monza. He expressed apologies to the family and the Italian state.
The Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office has ruled out an initial hypothesis that there was contact between the fleeing car and Officer Imprezzabile’s motorcycle. The other patrols involved in the pursuit reportedly did not witness the moment of the fall, leaving the exact reasons for the crash under investigation. The Prosecutor’s Office has not issued detention orders for the second individual found with the driver.
Tributes and Condolences Pour In
Officer Imprezzabile had joined the local police in 2022. On his Instagram profile, he frequently shared photos in uniform and on his service motorcycle, expressing his passion for the job. “Wearing this uniform is not just a job, it’s a responsibility. It’s not just any profession: it’s a vocation, a passion, a sense of duty,” he wrote on May 23. Another message read, “Always in the saddle, always under pressure. Stress is part of the service, but that’s where maximum lucidity is needed: a moment to decide, and every choice can make a difference.”
Numerous messages of condolences have been extended by politicians and institutions following Officer Imprezzabile’s death. Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed his profound sadness and offered his condolences with solidarity and closeness to the family. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on social media, “I learned with deep sorrow of the death of Milan Local Police Officer Francesco Imprezzabile, who lost his life while on duty during a pursuit. On behalf of the Italian Government, I express my most sincere condolences and my closeness to his family, friends, and colleagues. Those who wear a uniform put their lives at the service of others every day. Italy does not forget the sacrifice of those who work with dedication and professionalism to ensure the safety of citizens and respect for the rules.”
Further messages of solidarity and closeness to the family and the local police have come from Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Maurizio Gasparri, President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana, Milan Mayor Beppe Sala and his council, and Elena Buscemi on behalf of the entire Milan City Council. Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party, observed a minute of silence during the party’s national directorate meeting, expressing “closeness and solidarity.”
Ongoing Investigation and Forensic Examination
The Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office will investigate the charges of “vehicular homicide” and “dangerous escape.” Authorities are awaiting reports from the Local Police and Road Police to formalize the charges. An autopsy has been ordered on the officer’s body. Investigators, including Milan Local Police Commander Gianluca Mirabelli, are meticulously reviewing surveillance footage from the area and license plate readers in nearby towns. The investigation at the scene continued late into the night, with the road remaining closed, and resumed on Tuesday morning, leading to the discovery of the car and the arrest of the driver.
Source: https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_23/tragedia-a-peschiera-borromeo-agente-della-polizia-locale-morto-durante-l-inseguimento-a-un-auto-pirata-2598570b-7fec-4568-8b30-bc32129c7xlk.shtml
