Fact Check: "80-year-old man drives luxury car down Rome's Spanish Steps!"
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, an 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the historic Spanish Steps in Rome before getting stuck partway down. According to reports from the Associated Press and CTV News, the incident occurred early in the morning, and the man tested negative for alcohol. He was cited by municipal police for driving down the monument, which is not intended for vehicles. The police did not disclose the driver's identity or whether he was using a navigation system at the time of the incident. Firefighters later used a crane to remove the car from the steps.
The Spanish Steps, built in the 1720s, are a well-known landmark in Rome, and driving on them is illegal. This incident follows a similar occurrence in 2022 when a Saudi man was charged for damaging the steps while driving a rented Maserati down them (ABC News, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that an 80-year-old man drove a luxury car down the Spanish Steps is substantiated by multiple credible news sources, including the Associated Press and CTV News. These sources provide consistent details about the event, including the driver's age, the type of car, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police's involvement and the citation issued to the driver lend further credibility to the reports.
However, while the primary sources are reliable, it is important to note that the police did not provide comprehensive details about how the man ended up on the steps or whether he had any assistance. This lack of information leaves some questions unanswered, but it does not undermine the core facts of the incident.
The sources reporting on this event are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting, which enhances their reliability. The incident itself, while unusual, is not unprecedented, as evidenced by previous similar incidents involving vehicles on the Spanish Steps (news.com.au, Boston Globe).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that an 80-year-old man drove a luxury car down Rome's Spanish Steps is accurate, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources. The details surrounding the event, including the driver's age, the type of vehicle, and the police's response, have been consistently reported. While some aspects of the incident remain unclear, the fundamental facts are well-supported.
Sources
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down Rome's Spanish Steps ... AP News
- Senior gets Mercedes stuck on Rome's Spanish Steps - CTV News CTV News
- Elderly man drives luxury car down Rome's Spanish Steps ... Dailymotion
- 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
- Man drives down Rome tourist treasure - news.com.au news.com.au
- Man drives luxury Mercedes down Rome's Spanish Steps ... Boston Globe
- Saudi Man Charged After Driving Maserati Over Rome's Historic Spanish ... International Business Times
