Tasia: Ukrainian girl, 5, who fled from war killed as Italian driver 'ploughed into her'
Tasia, a 5-years-old, and her mother, Luda came to Italy less than a month ago after being forced to evacuate Ukraine following the Russian invasion. On March 20, Tasia died when she was hit by a van driven by an 18-year-old in the Crotone district of southern Italy, and detectives are now looking into whether it was intentional. According to reports, a driver allegedly ploughed over a girl fleeing Ukraine and a 16-year-old boy who was carrying her.
Tasia was out walking with her 16-year-old cousin and the girl's boyfriend, who was holding the youngster, according to Corriere. As part of their investigation, police are looking into whether the driver of the orange Fiat Doblo was involved in a personal conflict with the other teens. One line of inquiry is whether the driver was the love rival of a 16-year-old lad.
READ MORE
Hassan Pisecka: Ukrainian boy, 11, who traveled to Slovakia alone, reunited with mom
Are Ukrainians turning to sex work in refugee crisis? War triggers trafficking concerns
On the local prosecutor's orders, the driver was detained and charged with aggravated road homicide. The terrifying crash occurred on a Sunday evening in Cantorato, where Tasia and her family were staying at Luda's sister's farm.
The two 16-year-olds, who were carrying Tasia, departed the property for an evening stroll. At around 6.30 pm, they were walking single file along a road when they were noticed by the driver, who allegedly spun around and drove towards them, with his father in the front seat.
The child approached the automobile from behind and landed on the windscreen. Tasia was flung from his arms and slammed onto the ground, hitting her head and quickly killing her. His girlfriend was unharmed, but he sustained head injuries and damaged bones. The driver reportedly called an ambulance and stated that he was driving when the collision occurred.
According to Corriere, however, investigators investigating the incident's background soon realized there was more to it and quickly determined who was driving. In March and August of 2020, the suspect was reported twice for driving without a license.
Tasia's murder has "devastated" Crotone Mayor Vincenzo Voce, who only a few days previously welcomed "children who escaped from a terrible war." He posted on Facebook, "There are no words. Just a deep pain. A pain that unites the whole city community." Another Ukrainian refugee died in Italy on March 13 when a bus carrying roughly 50 people drove off a highway and overturned.
