Fact Check: "80-year-old man drives luxury car down Rome's iconic Spanish Steps!"
What We Know
On a Tuesday morning, an 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. According to municipal police, the vehicle became stuck partway down the steps. The driver tested negative for alcohol and was cited for driving down the monument, which is not intended for vehicles (AP News, ABC News). The police did not disclose the driver's identity or whether he was using a navigation system (The Guardian). Firefighters were called to remove the car using a crane (CTV News).
The Spanish Steps, a historic monument built in the 1720s, are one of Rome's most recognizable landmarks and have a history of being misused by thrill-seekers. For instance, in 2022, a man was charged for damaging the steps after driving a rented Maserati down them (Daily Beast).
Analysis
The claim that an 80-year-old man drove a luxury car down the Spanish Steps is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the Associated Press, ABC News, and The Guardian. These outlets reported the incident with consistent details, such as the age of the driver, the make of the car, and the fact that he was cited by police (AP News, ABC News, The Guardian).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The incident was also reported by CTV News and other outlets, further confirming the accuracy of the information (CTV News, Daily Beast).
However, the police did not provide extensive details about the circumstances leading to the incident, such as whether the driver was using a GPS, which leaves some questions unanswered. Despite this, the core facts of the incident remain consistent across reports.
Conclusion
The claim that an 80-year-old man drove a luxury car down Rome's iconic Spanish Steps is True. The incident was reported by multiple credible news sources, confirming the details of the event, including the driver's age, the vehicle involved, and the police's response.
Sources
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down Rome's Spanish Steps ... AP News
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes down Rome's Spanish Steps ABC News
- Man, 80, gets stuck trying to drive down the Spanish Steps ... The Guardian
- Senior gets Mercedes stuck on Rome's Spanish Steps - CTV News CTV News
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down ... MSN
- Elderly Man Gets Stuck While Trying to Drive Down Rome's Spanish Steps Daily Beast
- Rome police seek Maserati driver who damaged Spanish Steps - Wanted in Rome Wanted in Rome
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down ... Gazette
