Matilda had been walking with two friends, headed to classes in Tione, as she did every school day. The stretch where the crash occurred is a busy regional artery and has seen previous close calls, raising concerns about student safety.

“It is a terrible tragedy that leaves us speechless. You can’t go to school in the morning and die like this,” said Giustino’s mayor, Manuel Cosi. His words echoed the grief and shock spreading through the small community.

Matilda was considered a rising star on the ice. A member of Sporting Ghiaccio Art Pinzolo, she trained almost daily and had recently overcome a knee injury to achieve remarkable progress. At the end of 2024, she placed third in the Italian Cup final, hinting at a promising