The control arm collapsed, the front end collapsed, and the front wheel ended up off-axis. On Friday evening, the city's headlights returned to Via Riu Mortu and its damaged condition, following an accident involving an Alfa Romeo, which required a tow truck and caused traffic congestion.

Protests immediately erupted on social media, but according to Mayor Tomaso Locci, based on video surveillance footage acquired by local police, a pothole was not to blame.

Dangerous road

The fact remains that Via Riu Mortu is dangerous: in addition to ditches and depressions, the asphalt shows real signs of subsidence. In the lane heading towards Via San Valeriano, a difference in level of several centimeters is clearly visible between the center of the roadway—which is higher—and the sides. It's as if the road were slowly sinking under the weight of cars and buses.

Drivers' concerns are inevitable: "We hope it can be fixed soon. Right now, it's a road to avoid; if you don't drive slowly, you risk losing your tires," says Federico Sanna. Even near the CTM bus stop, at the beginning of the street, the mood is negative: "Luckily, the bus goes slowly, because otherwise getting through here would be a nightmare, especially when you're standing," explain two women waiting at the bus stop.