Co-driver to Alessandro Ciardi, Franco Ballerini lost his life in consequence of an accident which occurred during the 1st edition of the Rally Ronde di Larciano. It happened at Casa al Vento, near the village of Serravalle Pistoiese in province of Pistoia, Italy, less than one kilometer from his home.

At about 08h45 on Sunday, 07 February 2010, Alessandro Ciardi lost control of the Renault Clio Sport R3 tuned by Rally Point and entered by team Alex Group, when its left wheels hit the green beside the road. The car slid on the right side and crashed hard into a concrete wall, sustaining significant damage to the nose. Alessandro Ciardi suffered leg injuries. Having taken on his side most of the impact force, his co-driver Franco Ballerini had suffered massive injuries. A doctor and a rescue vehicle rushed to the scene in only 90 seconds. Both the injured men were transferred to nearby Ceppo Hospital in Pistoia, where Franco Ballerini was pronounced dead at 10h45 that same day, after medical personnel were unable to revive him.

After the accident, the event was immediately stopped. Also the contemporaneous Rally Ronde di Andora, that was going on Liguria's coast, was called off at the end of the second stage, as a sign of mourning.

R.I.P