An aspiring nurse died a hero when she pushed her twin toddlers out of the way a split second before a lorry hit her.
Rocío Espinoza Romero and her mother had a green light as they walked across a pedestrian crossing.
The grandmother was pushing the toddlers’ pushchair when Espinoza, 34, saw a lorry heading straight towards them.
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A witness told how the mum of two waved her arms to catch the driver’s attention before pushing the pushchair out of the way.
A split second later, the lorry struck Espinoza head-on, pushing her 13 metres down the road in Milan, Italy.
The pushchair toppled onto its side, leaving the twins, aged 18 months, with minor injuries.
Their grandmother, 59, was knocked eight metres down the road and was also left with minor injuries.
Espinoza was killed on impact and paramedics were unable to revive her.
Detectives believe the four family members were clearly visible to the lorry driver and were not in his blind spot.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows how he stopped for four seconds immediately after the accident.
He then drove off to a quarry in Arluno for work as if nothing had happened on Wednesday (11 Dec) morning.
Witnesses told how other drivers honked their horns in a failed bid to get him to stop and provide assistance.
Francesco Monteleone was arrested at the quarry within two hours of the crash.
He is accused of causing death by dangerous driving and of failing to stop after an accident.
He allegedly claimed he “didn’t notice” the family of four, but detectives believe he is lying.
His phone was seized to determine whether he was using it at the time of the crash.
On it, detectives found a missed call and a WhatsApp message to his lawyer shortly after the accident.
The 24-year-old tested negative for drugs and alcohol and has no criminal record, as reported by Need To Know.
He will be questioned today (13 Dec) and a judge will rule on whether or not to keep him in custody.
Espinoza was from Peru but had lived in Milan for 18 years. She was about to become an Italian citizen.
She is survived by her 36-year-old husband, who is also from Peru.
Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala said: “They are an example of an immigrant family that had integrated exceptionally well.
“The woman worked night shifts at Pio Albergo Trivulzio (retirement home) and studied during the day to become a nurse, while her husband works as a carpenter.
“An extraordinary family, struck by an immense tragedy.”
Locals are now calling on the authorities to tackle the “dangerous” junction where the accident happened.
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