COMO, ITALY – A routine drive to training became a tragedy on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when a car driven by Inter Milan’s second-choice goalkeeper, Josep Martinez, was involved in a fatal collision with an 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair. The incident occurred at approximately 9:40 AM local time (11:40 AM EAT) in Fenegrò, a town in the province of Como, as the 27-year-old Spanish player was heading to the club's Appiano Gentile training facility.

Italian authorities confirmed the man’s death at the scene. According to a statement provided to Reuters by Italian police, “The car driven by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez hit a man who was in an electric wheelchair travelling on a cycle path alongside a road.” The statement added, “Martinez stopped his car in order to help the man, who died before the arrival of the ambulance.” Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were dispatched but were unable to save the man’s life.

Ongoing Investigation

The Carabinieri, Italy's national military police, have launched a full investigation to reconstruct the precise sequence of events. Preliminary findings from local authorities suggest the victim may have suffered a sudden medical episode, such as a heart attack or fainting spell, causing him to lose control of his wheelchair and veer unexpectedly into the path of Martinez's vehicle. Police have noted that Martinez, who was physically unharmed but described as “deeply shaken” by the tragedy, has been fully cooperative with investigators. An official inquiry will determine the exact cause of the collision, with no immediate suggestion of reckless driving.

The legal process in Italy for such incidents involves a detailed reconstruction to determine if negligence was a factor. Under Italian civil code, a driver may be obliged to provide compensation for damages caused by negligent action. However, the law also distinguishes accidents resulting from unforeseeable circumstances, which may be a key factor as the investigation into a possible medical emergency continues.

Club in Shock

The incident sent shockwaves through Inter Milan and the broader Italian football community. In response, the club immediately cancelled a pre-match press conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon with head coach Cristian Chivu ahead of their Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on Wednesday, October 29. In an official statement, the club expressed its deep sorrow and offered condolences to the victim’s family. Sources within the organization have indicated that Martinez is receiving psychological and legal support.

Josep Martinez, 27, joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2024 from fellow Serie A club Genoa for a reported €14 million. A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, the Spanish international has also played for Las Palmas and RB Leipzig. He serves as the primary backup to Inter's first-choice goalkeeper, Yann Sommer. His availability for upcoming matches, including the game against Fiorentina and a subsequent fixture against Hellas Verona, remains uncertain as he deals with the emotional trauma of the event.

A Sobering Reminder in World Football

While the incident has no direct connection to Kenya or the East Africa region, it highlights the intense public scrutiny and personal challenges that professional athletes face globally when involved in events outside of sports. The tragedy is a sobering reminder of similar incidents involving high-profile footballers. In June 2019, former Arsenal and Spain forward Jose Antonio Reyes died in a high-speed car crash at the age of 35. Other notable players who lost their lives in road accidents include Colombian legend Freddy Rincón in 2022 and Belgian midfielder Junior Malanda in 2015. These events underscore the fragility of life, irrespective of public status, and the profound impact such tragedies have on the teams, families, and communities involved.

As the investigation in Como continues, the focus remains on the profound human loss and the difficult path forward for both the victim's family and a young athlete caught in an unimaginable tragedy.