London, 5:20 PM (local time) – In a shocking and heartbreaking incident that unfolded just minutes ago, a 60-year-old man was struck by a car at a busy intersection in central London after a driver allegedly ran a red light while using a mobile phone. The man, who was reportedly out walking with family members, suffered serious injuries at the scene.

Emergency crews responded swiftly, and what initially seemed like a tragic case of reckless driving took an even more dramatic turn when the victim was identified as the father of Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli.

A Sudden Scene Turns Personal

Witnesses say the collision occurred at the junction of Marylebone Road and Baker Street — an area known for both high pedestrian traffic and frequent red-light violations. The driver, believed to be in his 30s, was reportedly looking at his phone and failed to stop in time.

“We saw the man go down hard,” said one bystander. “People were shouting. It all happened so fast. But when the ambulance team recognized who he was, everything became even more intense.”

Multiple sources now confirm the injured pedestrian is indeed Seu João Martinelli, father of Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli, who is currently preparing for the start of the new Premier League season.

Martinelli Informed Mid-Training

Reports from Arsenal’s Colney training base say that Gabriel Martinelli was in the middle of a light recovery session when he received the news. The club has since granted him immediate leave to be with his family.

“Gabriel was visibly shaken,” one source inside the club said. “The team has rallied around him. Right now, football is not the priority — family is.”

The Driver Is in Custody

London Metropolitan Police have confirmed the driver has been taken into custody and is being investigated for reckless endangerment and use of a handheld device while operating a vehicle.

A full accident reconstruction team is on-site, and authorities have already secured CCTV footage from surrounding buildings. The intersection has been closed for several hours as the investigation continues.

Condition Remains Unclear

As of this writing, Mr. Martinelli is being treated at University College Hospital. He was reportedly conscious but in severe pain when paramedics arrived. Doctors have not yet released an official update on his condition, but sources close to the family say the next 12 hours will be critical.

What This Means for Arsenal

While it’s too early to speculate on the long-term impact, Gabriel Martinelli’s immediate availability for upcoming friendlies — and potentially even the league opener — is now uncertain. But more importantly, this incident has rocked both the player and the broader Arsenal community.

Messages of support have already begun pouring in from fans, teammates, and fellow players across the Premier League.

Final Thoughts

Tonight, football takes a back seat to real life. In the span of moments, a routine walk with family turned into a nightmare — and reminded everyone of just how fragile life can be.

As the Martinelli family faces this deeply difficult moment, one thing is clear: an entire footballing world stands behind them.

Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge.