Tragic Venice accident, taxi driver investigated after couple’s death amid suspected alcohol and drug use

The driver of a water taxi has been placed under investigation following a serious accident in the Venice lagoon that claimed the lives of Gabriella Querino Elorriaga and Sean Michieli. Traces of alcohol and narcotic substances are suspected to have been found in his blood and urine.

According to Corriere del Veneto, the two victims were aboard a traditional Venetian boat when it was struck by the water taxi.

Preliminary findings indicate that the detected amounts of alcohol and other substances were not high. However, the results will undergo further analysis and clinical verification.

Regulations governing those who operate passenger watercraft require them to have no alcohol or narcotic substances in their system.

Meanwhile, the owner of the water taxi has submitted a request to transfer the transport license to the Venice Municipality’s Mobility Office.

Such a move could also affect potential compensation proceedings for the families of the two victims. Prosecutor Daniela Moroni is leading the investigation into the offenses of maritime homicide and negligently causing a shipwreck.

The experts tasked with examining the evidence and reconstructing how the accident occurred are expected to be appointed on September 24. The authorities have also requested international legal assistance so that the two passengers who were aboard the water taxi at the time of the collision can be questioned as witnesses.

The two passengers are an American couple who were traveling to Tessera Airport to return to the United States.