A retired English teacher was crushed to death by a bulldozer operator allegedly high on cocaine while collecting seashells on an Italian beach in May 2025. Elisa Spadavecchia, 66, was fatally struck by the 15-ton tracked vehicle while sunbathing at Pinarella di Cervia beach on Italy’s Adriatic Coast on May 24.
The bulldozer operator, Lerry Gnoli, 54, has been charged with manslaughter and labor violations. Police tests revealed he was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the incident. Gnoli had been working on beach redevelopment when witnesses reported he strayed from the designated construction site and drove through the packed beach area where Spadavecchia was spending her holiday.
The tragic discovery was made by Spadavecchia’s ex-husband, Giovanni Sfregola, a retired police officer who used the “Find My iPhone” feature to locate her when she failed to return from her morning walk. Sfregola indicated that his wife carried only her phone during the walk and had no identification when the accident occurred. He described being prevented from viewing her body due to the severity of her injuries.
The scene was so disturbing that a lifeguard who witnessed the incident became ill and required hospitalization. Witnesses reported that the bulldozer operated without warning lights or audible reversing alerts when it struck Spadavecchia. The impact was described as having crushed her almost instantly.
Investigations revealed that Gnoli had been banned from driving in 2023 after killing an 83-year-old man in a road accident while also under the influence of cocaine. Despite the road ban, he was still permitted to operate construction vehicles on private property and non-public areas. However, authorities are investigating whether his beach work was properly authorized, with initial reports suggesting he may have been operating without proper licensing.
Gnoli’s lawyer, Vittoria Manes, stated that his client expressed remorse for the incident. Manes said: “He can’t understand how it could have happened and sends his condolences to the woman’s family.” The suspect was released without pre-trial conditions pending the ongoing investigation by the Ravenna Prosecutor’s Office.
Spadavecchia had recently retired from her position as an English teacher at Liceo Scientifico Quadri in Vicenza and was enjoying her retirement as a new grandmother. She and Sfregola had celebrated the birth of their three-month-old grandson shortly before the vacation. The couple was staying at the popular resort destination when the fatal accident occurred.
Former colleagues at the high school where Spadavecchia taught students aged 14 to 19 expressed shock at the news. Anna Spata, a colleague, remembered her with affection and professional respect. Another former colleague, Cinzia Zanesco, described being speechless over the tragedy and noted that Spadavecchia had been enjoying her retirement phase with her new granddaughter.
The mayor of Creazzo, where Spadavecchia lived, expressed the community’s devastation over the loss. The funeral service was held on May 29, 2025, at the Church of San Marco Evangelista in Creazzo, attended by friends, colleagues, and students who wished to honor her memory. The mayor of Cervia also attended the ceremony, demonstrating the broader community impact of the tragedy.
Sfregola described his grief as an “ocean of pain” and emphasized the couple’s recent joy over becoming grandparents. He explained that the family had been celebrating the arrival of their daughter’s child when their lives were suddenly devastated by the accident. The retired police officer, who had spent over 40 years handling emergencies and tragedies in his professional capacity, said nothing could have prepared him for such personal loss.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the unauthorized beach work and the safety protocols that should have been in place. Detectives are examining who authorized Gnoli’s alleged assignment and why proper safety measures were not implemented to protect beachgoers during the construction activities.