Luciano Virgili speaks in the midst of a whirlwind of emotions. Anguish over memories, anger over court times, sadness over friends. All together, at the same time. He is the only survivor of a head-on collision when he was traveling with four other friends to go see the first final between Boca and River for the Copa Libertadores. Whoever hit them, who had 1.8 degrees of alcohol in his blood, asked for a probation to avoid the trial and the prosecution gave him place, something that will be defined next Tuesday.
The life of the young man who has just turned 30 years old took a tragic turn that fateful November 10, 2018, when he undertook a journey full of illusions with four friends fans of Boca. However, in the midst of the rain and Route 205, tragedy descended on them in the town of Lobos.
On November 10, 2018, five friends were heading along the road to the Federal Capital when they were hit head-on by a Toyota truck driven by Francisco Lucesole, 28. The van crossed the lane and collided head-on with the Peugeot Partner where Malcom Vittón (33), Sebastián Berra (31), César Ezequiel Jones (31), Franco Silvestri (26) and Luciano Virgili (28) were traveling.
The fatal crash occurred at kilometer 108 of Route 205. They were traveling from Rawson to see the superfinal and crashed in Lobos four dead fatal accident on Route 205 traffic accidents deaths
The first four died at the instant of the crash. Virgili managed to survive and after months of operations and hospitalization, he was able to recover his life in a normal way. All lived in the cities of Trelew and Rawson, in the province of Chubut.
The fatal crash occurred at kilometer 108 of Route 205. They were traveling from Rawson to see the superfinal and crashed in Lobos four dead fatal accident on Route 205 traffic accidents deaths
Fans of Boca, traveled to see the first final of the Copa Libertadores that the team of the riverside was going to play against River. They never came. The crash occurred around 6 a.m. and subsequent tests determined that Lucesole, who was returning from a party, had 1.8 blood alcohol, far exceeding what was then allowed.
The shadow of that fateful trip casts a shadow over the memories of Luciano, who prefers to avoid remembering those moments of illusion that became a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. As he had worked the night before that trip, the young man was asleep at the time of the crash. When he opened his eyes again, he was in the hospital, intubated, hooked up to wires.
The young Boca fans who died on their way to the superfinal.
The young Boca fans who died on their way to the superfinal.
After much fighting, the families (including Virgili's) managed to get Lucesoli tried for manslaughter with eventual intent, which provides for a maximum sentence of 6 years and a minimum of 3.
But the passage of time and the judicial delay caused the defendant to file the appeal of probation, which was authorized to evaluate that possibility.
The mural in homage to the young people killed on a route in Lobos.
In the midst of all that, Luciano returned to Trelew. Swimming and the gym became indispensable allies on his path to rehabilitation. He says he had to relearn how to walk.
"So much effort, so much struggle. To learn that they suddenly give free rein to this request. I don't know, it's very painful. I am afraid that everything will come to nothing, that the person who ruined my life and killed four friends can continue to drive and have a life without any remorse, without punishment. It's not fair something like that," Luciano tells Clarín.
The young man continues with his work responsibilities, including the business of selling firewood that he shares with his mother Graciela. However, his heart always takes him back to Boca's headquarters in Trelew, a refuge where he finds solace and shares his time with Carlos Silvestri, father of his late friend Franco, whom he admires deeply. "Carlos' bravery and courage have no limits," says Luciano excitedly. "Boca are my friends who are gone," he adds.
That is why next Tuesday, May 30, the courts of Saladillo will witness a crucial hearing. In the midst of uncertainty, Luciano hopes that Justice will find its course and that the memory of his friends will be kept alive.
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