A terrifying scene unfolded in downtown Modena after a driver allegedly plowed into a crowd of pedestrians, leaving at least eight people injured — including four victims fighting for their lives.
Officials said the chaos erupted Saturday when a 31-year-old man reportedly drove onto a sidewalk packed with people before crashing his vehicle into a shop window.
According to Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, one victim was pinned against the storefront during the violent impact.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as panicked witnesses watched first responders treat bleeding victims scattered across the street.
Several of the injured were reportedly in such critical condition that they had to be airlifted to nearby hospitals.
Authorities said bystanders stepped in and helped stop the suspect before police arrived and took him into custody.
Officials have not yet announced what charges the driver could face, and investigators are still working to determine exactly what led to the horrifying crash.
Photos from the scene showed the heavily damaged vehicle smashed near storefronts as police and emergency personnel flooded the area.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was closely monitoring the situation and had already spoken with local officials following the attack.
“I trust that the perpetrator will be held fully accountable for his actions,” Meloni said in a statement posted on social media.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine whether the crash was intentional or accidental.