On the morning of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, a tragic road accident occurred in the province of Como, Italy, in which an 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair was killed. According to Italian police, the car involved was being driven by Inter Milan’s second-choice goalkeeper, Josep Martínez.
Martínez was reportedly driving toward the club’s training ground in Appiano Gentile when, at approximately 9:43 a.m. local time, his vehicle struck the man, who was on a cycle path adjacent to the road.
Early indications from investigators suggest the wheelchair may have suddenly crossed into the vehicle’s path, possibly following a medical episode affecting the victim.
Witnesses said Martínez immediately stopped his car and attempted to assist the man. Emergency services, including an ambulance and an air ambulance, arrived shortly thereafter, but despite their efforts, the elderly man was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement released by local police, authorities confirmed: “The car driven by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez hit a man who was in an electric wheelchair travelling on a cycle path alongside a road in the province of Como.”
Martínez, though uninjured, was said to be in a state of deep shock and was subjected to mandatory alcohol and drug tests, as required by Italian law in cases involving fatalities. Police said the tests were conducted at the scene and later at a nearby facility, with results expected to be included in the ongoing investigation.
The accident led Inter Milan to cancel a scheduled pre-match press conference ahead of their Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. Club officials described the decision as a mark of respect and a reflection of the gravity of the incident.
Inter has not issued an official statement beyond confirming awareness of the situation and expressing condolences to the family of the victim.
Sources close to the club said that Martínez has been offered psychological support and counseling as he processes the traumatic event. Team staff members have reportedly rallied around the Spanish goalkeeper, who joined Inter Milan from Genoa in 2024.
The 27-year-old has made several appearances for the club this season and is also a capped international with Spain.
Italian investigators have opened a formal inquiry into the incident, focusing on reconstructing the precise sequence of events leading up to the collision. Police are reviewing tire marks, vehicle speed, road conditions, and surveillance footage from nearby cameras to determine whether any contributing factors such as visibility, driver error, or road design played a role.
Early reports suggest that the victim’s wheelchair may have veered onto the roadway moments before impact.
While authorities have made no suggestion of criminal intent or negligence by Martínez, the case will proceed under Italy’s standard legal framework for fatal road accidents, which includes a detailed reconstruction and analysis by forensic experts.