.png)
Inter Milan’s Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martínez was involved in a tragic road accident on Tuesday morning that resulted in the death of an 81-year-old man, Italian police have confirmed to ESPN.
The incident took place around 9:43 a.m. in Fenegrò, a small town in the province of Como. Martínez, 27, was driving to the club’s training ground in Appiano Gentile when his car struck an elderly man in an electric wheelchair that had reportedly crossed into his lane, according to the official police report.
Martínez immediately stopped and called emergency services. Despite the rapid arrival of both an ambulance and a rescue helicopter, medical personnel were unable to revive the victim.
Police in Como told ESPN that the Inter goalkeeper was uninjured but “in a state of shock.” As required by law, he underwent precautionary blood tests to screen for alcohol or drugs. Officers have opened an investigation and are analyzing tire marks and other evidence to determine the car’s speed and braking distance before the collision.
Early reports suggest the elderly man may have suffered a medical episode before veering into the road, though authorities are still gathering witness statements and technical data to clarify what happened.
Inter Milan later released a message expressing deep sorrow over the incident and offering condolences to both the victim’s family and the player. The club also canceled manager Cristian Chivu’s scheduled news conference at 2 p.m. out of respect for those affected.
As investigations continue, Martínez remains profoundly shaken. The 27-year-old, who joined Inter from Genoa in 2024 after previous spells with Las Palmas and RB Leipzig, has made 12 appearances for the Nerazzurri this season.
Inter are due to host Fiorentina in Serie A on Wednesday, but preparations have been overshadowed by the tragic events in Como.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jorono, Unsplash / mathieu gauzy
