A 37-year-old Bangladeshi man was taken to hospital in a critical condition on Monday with a brain haemorrhage after being savagely kicked and punched in the capital.
Doctors have put the Bangladeshi into a medically induced coma.
Police arrested a 25-year-old Italian over the brutal attack, which took place in front of horrified onlookers in Rome's southeast Quadraro neighbourhood.
He faces charges of attempted murder.
The Italian, who was drunk at the wheel of a Mercedes car, crashed into several parked vehicles, got out and set upon the Bangladeshi, who was walking past at the time, police said.
The Italian, who had been driving without a valid licence, was arrested at the scene, police said.
