A retired English teacher was killed by a bulldozer operator while collecting seashells on an Italian beach, authorities confirmed. Elisa Spadavecchia, 66, died instantly on May 24 when construction worker Lerry Gnoli reversed his 15-ton tracked bulldozer over her at Pinarella di Cervia beach on Italy’s Adriatic Coast.
Gnoli, 54, was arrested on June 30 and charged with manslaughter and workplace safety violations. The preliminary investigations judge of the Court of Ravenna issued a custodial remand order following a month-long investigation by Carabinieri and Coast Guard officials.
Toxicology tests revealed Gnoli had cocaine in his system at the time of the incident. During questioning on May 30, Gnoli described the moment of impact, stating he was reversing when he suddenly hit Spadavecchia and immediately noticed what happened after hearing a lifeguard’s screams.
The investigation uncovered disturbing details about Gnoli’s criminal history. In 2022, he was sentenced to two and a half years for road homicide after killing an 83-year-old pedestrian while driving under the influence of cocaine. His driver’s license had been revoked following that conviction. Three years earlier, in 2019, he was arrested for resisting a public official while under the influence of drugs and found in possession of cocaine.
Despite the driving ban, Gnoli was legally permitted to operate construction vehicles as long as he avoided public roads. On the morning of the incident, he was conducting unauthorized dune-leveling work on the beach using his unlicensed, tracked vehicle that lacked required visual and sound signaling devices.
Witnesses reported the bulldozer had no warning lights or audible reversing alerts as it plowed through the popular beach area. The Cervia municipality confirmed that the construction work was not authorized.
Spadavecchia was vacationing with her ex-husband, retired police officer Giovanni Sfregola, when the tragedy occurred. When she failed to return from her morning walk, Sfregola used the “Find My iPhone” feature to locate her device, leading him to the scene where he discovered his wife had been killed.
The scene was so disturbing that a lifeguard who witnessed the incident became ill and required hospitalization. Sfregola indicated he chose not to view his wife’s body to preserve his memory of her. He described his grief as immeasurable and inexplicable, noting they had recently celebrated the birth of a three-month-old grandchild.
Spadavecchia had been a beloved English teacher at Liceo Scientifico Quadri in Vicenza before retiring several years ago. Former colleagues expressed shock and sorrow at her death. One colleague noted she was enjoying her retirement phase with her young granddaughter.
The accident occurred around 10 a.m. on a stretch of free beach. Investigators determined Gnoli was reversing at high speed when he made a sudden maneuver without checking for people in the area.
Gnoli’s lawyer, Vittorio Manes, stated his client was terribly sorry about the tragedy and expressed condolences to Spadavecchia’s family. The lawyer indicated Gnoli could not understand how the accident occurred. During questioning, Gnoli claimed he felt authorized to perform beach work and believed he was legally permitted to operate the construction vehicle despite his revoked license.
The Ravenna Prosecutor’s Office investigation examined who authorized or failed to supervise Gnoli’s activities. Officials are assessing the potential liability of third parties who may have permitted the unauthorized construction work to proceed on the busy beach during peak season.
Spadavecchia’s funeral was held on May 29 at the church of San Marco Evangelista in Creazzo, in the province of Vicenza. The mayor of Cervia, Mattia Missiroli, attended the service, demonstrating the impact of the tragedy on both communities.
On July 9, preliminary investigations judge Janos Barlotti upheld the decision made in late June to keep Gnoli in custody. The judge cited an ongoing risk that he could commit similar offenses and a likelihood of tampering with evidence. This ruling followed a thorough review of materials submitted by the prosecutor’s office.
According to findings by the Carabinieri, shortly after the fatal incident, Gnoli allegedly erased several messages from his phone, including one that appeared to grant him permission to work in the Cervia beach area.
Gnoli remains in custody at Ravenna prison as he awaits trial, facing charges of negligent manslaughter and breaches of workplace safety regulations. Investigators continue to look into all factors leading to the incident.
The inquiry is still in progress, with prosecutors also assessing whether other individuals could be held responsible for authorizing or failing to properly oversee Gnoli’s activity on the beach. A trial date has not yet been determined.
