Cyclist overturned and killed in Ugento, 22-year-old turns himself in to the police: "I thought it was an animal"

A 22-year-old man has confessed to running over and killing a cyclist in the town of Ugento, located in the province of Lecce, southern Italy. The incident occurred early Monday morning, and the body of the deceased cyclist, Daniele Congedi, aged 28, was discovered later in the evening near a field adjacent to a provincial road between Racale and Ugento. According to reports, the young man voluntarily appeared at a local barracks, accompanied by his defense attorney, after being identified by police investigators. The investigation into the case has been carried out by the Carabinieri stations in Racale and Casarano. Authorities have focused their efforts on identifying the vehicle involved in the accident, conducting checks at nearby workshops to determine whether any cars had recently undergone repairs consistent with damage caused by a collision. A key breakthrough came through a spontaneous tip from the owner of a roadside assistance company, who contacted the barracks upon learning of the incident and informed them that he had recovered a vehicle that had broken down in the area. Upon examination of the vehicle at the company’s depot, investigators found elements consistent with the dynamics of the crash, furthering the ongoing inquiry. The car, a Lancia Y, was subsequently seized. Efforts were made to locate the owner of the vehicle, initially proving elusive. However, within the following hours, the young man himself appeared at the barracks, having been previously identified by the authorities. He recounted the events to the investigating officers, according to Sky Tg 24, stating that he did not realize he had struck a cyclist and instead believed he had hit an animal or a stone. The ongoing investigation aims to precisely reconstruct the sequence of events and gather all necessary evidence. At this stage, the suspected crime is classified as road traffic homicide. The probe is being coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office in Lecce. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the speed at which the vehicle was traveling and whether there were any contributing factors such as fatigue or distraction. The case has sparked discussions among local officials and legal experts regarding the need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and increased awareness campaigns targeting drivers' attention and responsibility on the roads. The family of the deceased cyclist has yet to make public statements, though they are likely to be involved in the proceedings. Legal representatives for both parties are currently engaged in preparations for potential court appearances. Meanwhile, the community of Ugento continues to grapple with the tragedy, reflecting on the importance of vigilance and caution while cycling in areas with high vehicular traffic. The case remains under active scrutiny, with further developments anticipated in the coming days.