Minors detained after Milan hit and run

Four children aged 11 to 13 are detained in Milan after a stolen car struck and killed a 71-year-old woman in a hit and run.

Minors Detained After Fatal Milan Hit and Run

Four children aged 11 to 13 were taken into custody by Milan police on suspicion of vehicular homicide aggravated by failure to render aid after a stolen Citroën struck 71-year-old Cecilia De Astis in the Gratosoglio district on Monday. The car reportedly skidded, hit a curb, and hurled De Astis several metres before colliding with a road sign; emergency crews arrived quickly but she could not be saved. CCTV footage from a nearby shop helped identify the suspects by the T-shirts they wore. The stolen car had French number plates and belonged to a 20-year-old Strasbourg resident visiting Milan with three friends, who reported it stolen Sunday evening after visiting the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology.

The case highlights a tension between public safety and a legal system that treats very young offenders differently. In Italy, children under 14 are not criminally liable, a detail that shapes how investigators and communities think about responsibility and prevention. The tragedy also raises questions about how communities can better support youths at risk through family services, education, and mental health resources, to reduce the chances of such incidents. Surveillance tools and rapid identification through CCTV add to public accountability but can also amplify pressure on families and witnesses as the case becomes a public story.

Highlights

The tragedy tests how communities balance memory, accountability and care for young people at risk.