Was It Speed or Something More? The Fatal Test Drive Under Investigation

By Robert W. • May 16, 2025

He Finally Bought His Dream Car — Hours Later, He Was Dead-1

A longtime dream turned into a nightmare when 51-year-old Luca Polito, a construction entrepreneur from northern Italy, lost control of his brand-new Lamborghini^® Gallardo and drowned after the car flipped into a roadside canal near Venice.

The Fatal Ride

On the afternoon of April 19, Polito was driving his freshly purchased Lamborghini along Via del Rio outside Portogruaro, with a friend riding in the passenger seat. According to police, the car veered off the narrow road and overturned into a deep drainage ditch. The sleek white vehicle landed upside down, its passenger compartment rapidly filling with nearly 28 centimeters (about 11 inches) of water.

He Finally Bought His Dream Car — Hours Later, He Was Dead-2

Polito's friend managed to escape and was hospitalized with serious injuries. Polito, however, trapped in the driver's seat, couldn't free himself. Despite efforts by emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Life of Quiet Hard Work — And Deep Loss

Friends described Polito as quiet, dedicated, and family-focused. The Lamborghini had been a hard-earned reward for years of sacrifice — a symbol of success for a man who had endured more than his share of grief.

He was the last surviving sibling in his family; his two brothers had died from serious illnesses, and he had recently lost a sister-in-law. Polito is survived by his wife, Sonia Trevisan, and son Andrea, who raised the alarm after his father failed to return home.

Investigation Underway

Local police, under Commander Thomas Poles, are investigating whether the crash was caused by excessive speed, a mechanical failure, or both. The Lamborghini has been seized for technical analysis. Authorities say the surviving passenger's account will be key to understanding what went wrong.

He Finally Bought His Dream Car — Hours Later, He Was Dead-3