Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr’s wife Vivian investigated over alleged hit-run while holidaying in Sardinia
The glamorous wife of a billionaire CEO is being investigated after she allegedly ran over and killed a babysitter while holidaying in Sardinia.
Vivian Alexandra Spohr, the wife of Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, was driving a BMX X5 when she hit Gaia Costa at a pedestrian crossing in the resort town of Porto Cervo on July 10.
Paramedics tried to save her but the 24-year-old died of severe head injuries.
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According to local news reports, moments before the tragedy Ms Costa tried to catch Ms Spohr’s attention by waving but the car ploughed into her, knocking her to the ground.
Ms Spohr allegedly initially failed to stop, but did so after passers-by yelled to get her attention.
The mother of two stated she did not notice anything was wrong before fainting at the scene when she realised what had happened, according to Italien News.
It is understood her daughter was in the car at the time.
Drug and alcohol tests returned negative results. Police are now reviewing CCTV footage and Ms Spohr’s phone records to see if she was distracted by her mobile phone while driving.
The Public Prosecutor’s office has initiated involuntary manslaughter proceedings.
However, Ms Spohr, a high profile corporate communications executive in Germany, has flown home.
Her lawyer Angelo Merlini says Ms Spohr has vowed to cooperate with police.
“Vivian Spohr, involved in the tragic death of the very young Gaia Costa, expresses her shock and profound sorrow for this very serious incident,” he told La Repubblica.
“And while she understands that such a great personal loss cannot be repaired, she will take steps to mitigate the consequences.”
