The wife of Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, Vivian Spohr, is under investigation following a tragic incident in which a 24-year-old woman, Gaia Costa, was killed after being struck by a vehicle in Sardinia. The accident occurred on Tuesday at a crosswalk in the popular seaside resort of Porto Cervo.
According to reports from local media, Vivian Spohr was driving an SUV when the collision took place. Costa, a resident of Tempio Pausania in the Gallura region, suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators are looking into whether Spohr may have been distracted while driving, potentially by her cell phone.
In the aftermath of the incident, Spohr initially left the scene but later returned after being alerted by passers-by. In a statement released through her Italian lawyer on Friday, the 51-year-old German businesswoman expressed her “dismay and deep sorrow” regarding the accident, which she described as devastating for Costa’s family and the local community.
Spohr stated that she is “at the complete disposal” of the Italian judicial authorities to aid in the investigation. The statement highlighted her understanding that no action can repair the loss experienced by Costa’s family, but she intends to take steps to mitigate the repercussions of the tragedy.
The family of Gaia Costa has not yet issued a public comment. Their lawyer, Antonello Desini, emphasized the need to respect their grief during this difficult time. Reports indicate that Spohr was staying at her family’s vacation home when the accident occurred and returned to Germany shortly afterward.
Deutsche Lufthansa, the airline headed by Carsten Spohr, is a major employer with over 100,000 staff and reported a profit of $1.5 billion last year, according to Forbes. The family tragedy has drawn significant media attention, raising questions about the implications of the incident for the high-profile business executive and her family.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains crucial for all parties involved to navigate the legal and emotional complexities that arise from such devastating incidents.