A 27-year-old ambulance driver in Italy is now under criminal investigation after several elderly patients he transported reportedly died under suspicious circumstances.
Authorities say the investigation began after five elderly patients suffered cardiac arrests while being transported in a non-emergency ambulance between February and November 2025. The deaths all occurred while the same driver was involved in the trips.
According to prosecutors in the city of Forlì, the patients had previously been treated for serious illnesses and were being transported between their homes, nursing facilities, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
The most recent case involved an 85-year-old woman who was being transferred from a cardiac hospital to a rehabilitation center. During the trip, she suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead inside the ambulance.
Following her death, an autopsy was performed, and the findings reportedly raised enough concerns that the investigation was moved from police to prosecutors.
Authorities say all five deaths happened either during the ambulance rides or shortly after the patients arrived at their destinations while the driver was present in the back of the vehicle.
Investigators are now examining whether the deaths may have been caused intentionally.
According to prosecutors, the victims may have died due to “poisonous substances or other insidious means,” though officials have not yet released details about what may have been discovered during the autopsy.
The driver, who has not been publicly identified, worked as part of a two-person ambulance team that rotated between driving and assisting patients during transport.
Sources told Italian media the man worked for the Italian Red Cross. He has since been suspended from his duties while the investigation continues.
In a statement, the Italian Red Cross said it was shocked by the allegations involving one of its workers and expressed hope that investigators would uncover the truth.
The driver’s attorney said her client strongly denies any wrongdoing.
“He is shocked by what is emerging,” attorney Gloria Parigi told local media. “He proclaims his innocence in a matter that has turned his life upside down.”
She added that the driver has fully cooperated with investigators and requested a hearing with prosecutors.
Authorities say the case is still developing, but prosecutors are reportedly considering charging the driver with voluntary multiple homicide as early as this week.