Eight cyclists killed in Italian car crash

A group of eight cyclists were killed in southern Italy after a car hit them head on. The cyclists were killed when they were knocked down in Marinella Sant'Eugemia near Lamezia Terme.



In addition to the eight cyclists killed, four people were injured, according to Gianluca Gioia, a spokesman for Anas, the agency that runs Italy's state roads and highways. The driver, a Moroccan national who police said had been smoking marijuana, was arrested.



A preliminary investigation showed the speeding car ran headfirst into the group of cyclists who were riding in the opposite direction on state road 18, according to the highway authority.



Anas said the driver was trying to pass another car when he hit the group. Visibility and driving conditions were good at the time, reports said. Anas said the group hit on Sunday was affiliated with a local Lamezia Terme gym.