Eight folks had been injured, 4 critically, afer a driver ploughed into pedestrians within the Italian metropolis of Modena on Saturday.
Native authorities stated that the motive force tried to flee and was detained by police.
The person was identified to officers for having psychological problems, they added.
He was recognized as Salim El Koudri, a 31-year-old second-generation Italian who was born in Bergamo and now lives within the province of Modena.
El Koudri holds a level in economics and is unemployed, authorities stated.
He was detained and questioned at police headquarters in Modena as investigators tried to find out whether or not he acted intentionally.
There was no quick indication that the person was underneath the affect of medicine or alcohol, investigators stated at a press convention on Saturday night. His dwelling was searched as a part of the police investigation.
Modena Prefect Fabrizia Triolo stated that el Koudri had been identified to native psychological well being providers for schizoid problems, whereas officers pressured that early findings pointed to doable psychological instability however required additional verification.
No hyperlinks to extremist teams emerged.
Mayor Massimo Mezzetti stated nobody was killed within the dramatic crash, however 4 victims had been in severe situation. He stated a girl was pinned towards a store window and required the amputation of each legs.
Mr Mezzetti stated the automobile entered one of many metropolis’s important streets and the person “drove onto the sidewalk, sending a number of folks flying”, earlier than crashing into the store window.
Victims had been taken to hospitals in Modena and Bologna, together with by helicopter for probably the most important instances.
El Koudri allegedly tried to flee however was stopped first by a few of the residents concerned within the crash after which by police and brought to headquarters for questioning.
Witnesses reported that the person was holding a knife, however he didn’t handle to stab anybody, the mayor stated, including that investigators are nonetheless working to find out whether or not the act was deliberate or linked to different causes.
“Regardless of the nature, it’s a very severe act,” Mr Mezzetti stated.
“If it had been an assault, it might be much more severe.”
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni referred to as the incident “extraordinarily severe” in a social media publish and expressed solidarity with the victims and their households.
Ms Meloni thanked those that intervened to assist cease the suspect and praised regulation enforcement, including she was involved with native authorities and anticipated the suspect to be held absolutely accountable.
Emergency providers, together with police, carabinieri and monetary police, responded to the scene, which was cordoned off as ambulances handled victims on the street.