Luxury holiday turns tragic as Vivian Spohr’s SUV strikes young babysitter; she has since returned to Germany.

PORTO CERVO, Sardinia – On July 8, 2025, at approximately 1:05 p.m., a BMW X5 SUV driven by Vivian Spohr, 51, wife of Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, struck 24-year-old Gaia Costa on a pedestrian crossing in the upscale Costa Smeralda resort town of Porto Cervo. Witnesses say Costa, a local babysitter and daughter of a union official, was crossing Via Aga Khan when the vehicle accelerated into the crosswalk, fatally injuring her.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts and local Carabinieri reports, the driver did not realize the collision until bystanders alerted her. One passerby shouted and gestured toward the victim, prompting Spohr to exit her vehicle in a state of shock and collapse. Costa was still alive when first responders arrived but succumbed to severe head trauma at the scene. The Tempio Pausania public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for vehicular manslaughter.

Tests conducted by authorities confirmed that Spohr was neither under the influence of alcohol nor drugs at the time of the crash. A roadside breathalyzer and subsequent blood screenings returned negative results. CCTV footage from nearby businesses corroborated witness statements, showing the SUV’s abrupt movement onto the crosswalk without prior indication of braking.

Gaia Costa, originally from Tempio Pausania, had been working in Porto Cervo for the summer as a babysitter. Friends and family describe her as diligent and caring, with plans to enroll in university this autumn. Her death has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, which has held vigils and called for stricter pedestrian safety measures near the town’s popular tourist hubs.

Vivian Spohr, according to ANSA and Italian media sources, remained in Sardinia for initial questioning and legal formalities before returning voluntarily to Germany. She has appointed prominent Sardinian lawyer Angelo Merlini to represent her in the proceedings. In a brief statement issued through her counsel, Spohr expressed “deep sorrow” and extended condolences to the Costa family, affirming her full cooperation with investigators.

The incident has sparked wider debate over road safety in Sardinia’s luxury enclaves, where narrow streets and high-speed vehicles often converge. Local mayor Anna Piras announced plans to review traffic-calming installations, including additional speed bumps and enhanced pedestrian signage. “No family should endure such a loss,” Piras said. “We must act swiftly to prevent future tragedies.”

Lufthansa released a statement confirming that CEO Carsten Spohr and his family are “profoundly saddened” by the accident. The company stressed that Vivian Spohr was on a private holiday and that “all legal inquiries will proceed according to Italian law.” Industry analysts suggest the high-profile nature of the case could trigger diplomatic sensitivities, though legal experts note that civilian judicial processes in Italy operate independently of corporate or diplomatic influences.

As legal proceedings unfold, Italian prosecutors will review forensic evidence, including vehicle telemetry data and expert analyses of braking distances. The scheduled autopsy for Gaia Costa was postponed and is now set to take place in Cagliari under the supervision of the appointed coroner. Meanwhile, prosecutors have issued a European Investigation Order seeking further documentation from German authorities, as Spohr’s return to Germany complicates immediate access.

For the Costa family, the road to justice may be long. Their lawyer, Antonello Desini, has pledged to support them through “every legal step,” emphasizing the importance of a transparent investigation. Community members have organized fundraising efforts to assist the family with funeral expenses and legal fees, reflecting the widespread empathy for the young victim’s plight.

The tragic loss of Gaia Costa underscores stark realities in global tourism hotspots: even idyllic settings can become sites of grief. As Sardinia grapples with the aftermath, the incident serves as a chilling reminder of the vital need for vigilance—by drivers, policymakers, and communities alike—to protect those most vulnerable on the roads.