ROME – Equestrian champion Consuelo Palmerini has died after throwing herself off the Cassia bis viaduct, located between the Prima Porta junction and Castel de Ceveri, officials confirm.

 The 46-year-old reportedly hurled herself from the flyover while a van was passing by on Tuesday morning. She died on the spot due to the violent impact.

 The vehicle, however, lost control and flipped over a few metres on. The driver, Carlo Peciaroli, 68, from Corchiano (Viterbo), was seriously injured.

 Paramedics managed to rescue him from the destroyed interior and took him to the Gemelli Polyclinic by helicopter.

 The road was closed to traffic for hours after the incident occurred until Tuesday evening, to allow the Polstrada (road police) to carry out the necessary investigations.

 Although they looked into the accident, Palmerini’s suicide was allegedly the priority.

 No suicide note has been found by investigators, either in her car or in her house in northern Rome.

 According to Corriere della Sera, they’ve managed to get hold of her mobile phone to review her most recent messages and contacts, which hopefully might help them clear a few things up.

 Palmerini was a breeder and instructor, Italian champion in 1992, and first-rate show jumper, who competed in Piazza di Siena and other European championships.

 Investigators have asked for maximum privacy while they look into her mysterious suicide.