Fact Check: "Man cited for driving down Rome's historic monument, tested negative for alcohol!"
What We Know
On a recent Tuesday, an 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, a historic monument. According to municipal police, the man became stuck partway down the steps and was subsequently cited for his actions. Importantly, he tested negative for alcohol at the time of the incident, as confirmed by multiple news sources including the Associated Press and ABC News.
Analysis
The claim that the man tested negative for alcohol is supported by reliable news sources. The Associated Press and Washington Post both reported that he was cited on the spot and that the police confirmed his negative alcohol test. These sources are credible and well-established in the field of journalism, known for their fact-checking protocols and adherence to journalistic standards.
While the incident itself raises questions about how the man ended up driving down the steps, the critical point of the claim—his alcohol test result—has been consistently reported across multiple outlets. This consistency strengthens the reliability of the information.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that the man cited for driving down Rome's historic monument tested negative for alcohol is accurate. The information is corroborated by multiple reputable news sources, confirming that he was indeed sober at the time of the incident.
Sources
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down Rome's Spanish Steps ... (https://apnews.com/article/spanish-steps-car-stuck-rome-monument-9dd78f90e797a570baaddaa95bc8b178)
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down ... (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/17/spanish-steps-car-stuck-rome-monument/35b39328-4b87-11f0-8fff-262d6ec54ab9_story.html)
- An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes down Rome's Spanish Steps (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/80-year-drives-luxury-mercedes-sedan-romes-spanish-122929758)
- Elderly Man Gets Stuck While Trying to Drive Down Rome's Spanish Steps (https://www.thedailybeast.com/elderly-man-gets-stuck-while-trying-to-drive-down-romes-spanish-steps)
