An 18-year-old Albanian national, Valjero Maksuti, was killed in a car crash during a police pursuit in the early hours of this morning in Bologna. The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Via Murri, at the intersection with Via dei Lamponi.
According to police reconstructions, the events began when a patrol noticed a stolen Audi A3 with two young men inside stopped at a traffic light on Via Tolmino. The driver was a 19-year-old with no prior criminal record, while the passenger was the 18-year-old Maksuti, who was known to police for previous theft and resisting arrest charges.
When the light turned green, the Audi sped away at high velocity, initiating a chase through several streets. The police emphasize that their patrol car never made contact with the fleeing vehicle and had, in fact, lost sight of it. The pursuit ended when the Audi, driving at a high rate of speed, crashed into a light pole and several parked cars.
The 19-year-old driver was injured in the crash and transported to Maggiore Hospital. His legal status is currently under review. Upon searching the wreckage, police discovered a knuckleduster, a window-breaking hammer, and burglary tools. Local police were also on the scene, and Via Murri remains closed for investigation. The stolen Audi had been reported missing in Bologna a few days prior. Police investigations into all aspects of the incident are ongoing.