Lufthansa CEO's wife investigated by Italian prosecutors for killing pedestrian in a car accident before flying back to Germany.

Sunday, July 13, 2025 - The wife of Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr is under investigation in Italy after allegedly running over and killing a 24-year-old woman in Sardinia before flying back to Germany.

Gaia Costa died on Tuesday, July 8, after being struck by an SUV while crossing at a zebra crossing in the commune of Porto Cervo. The driver was identified as 51-year-old Vivian Alexandra Spohr, who was reportedly on holiday with her daughter at the time of the incident.

Costa, a local babysitter, was found alive but critically injured at the scene. Emergency responders spent 20 minutes trying to resuscitate her, but she later died from a severe head injury. Witnesses say CCTV footage captured the young woman attempting to wave at the approaching SUV in a last-minute attempt to stop the vehicle.

According to local reports, Spohr initially did not realise an accident had occurred and was stopped by a passer-by. Upon seeing the injured woman, she is said to have fainted. Authorities conducted alcohol and drug tests on Spohr, which returned negative results. She later left Sardinia and returned to Munich.

Italian prosecutors have now placed Spohr under investigation for negligent homicide in road traffic. Prosecutor Milena Aucone has registered her as a suspect, and her legal team confirmed that she is cooperating with Italian authorities. A statement released on her behalf read: “Vivian Spohr, who was involved in the tragic death, expresses her dismay and deep regret over this very serious accident.”

Authorities have since seized the vehicle for forensic examination, and a post-mortem on Gaia’s body is scheduled. No arrests have been made as of Friday afternoon.

Porto Cervo Mayor Gianni Addis paid tribute to the victim, describing her as “a young woman who was deeply involved in the city's social and cultural life” and “passionate about our traditions.”

Italy recorded 2,395 traffic-related deaths in 2020, according to the European Road Safety Observatory, placing the country 11th among EU nations for the lowest fatality rates per million inhabitants.