Wife of Lufthansa CEO under investigation following fatal accident

Lufthansa aircrafts are parked at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany in this March 7, 2024 photo. AP-Yonhap

Rome — Vivian Spohr, the wife of Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr, is being investigated for negligent homicide following a fatal traffic accident on the Italian island of Sardinia, according to her lawyer.

She is alleged to have run over a woman with her SUV while on holiday on the Mediterranean island. The 24-year-old died at the scene of the accident.

German airline Lufthansa did not respond to a request for comment from dpa.

However, Spohr's Italian lawyer said in a statement made available to dpa that she "is fully available to the Italian judicial authorities for the necessary investigations."

"Vivian Spohr, who was involved in the tragic accident," the statement says, "expresses her dismay and deep regret at this very serious accident."

She was aware, the statement continues, "that such a great personal loss (...) is unimaginable for the family of the deceased and for the loved ones of the injured."

While Spohr was aware that "such a great personal loss cannot be compensated," the statement says, she would "take measures to mitigate the consequences."

The wife of the Lufthansa boss is patron of a charity called Help Alliance, which was founded by employees of the airline. Vivian Spohr returned to Germany after the accident.

According to the investigating authorities, the accident occurred on Tuesday in the exclusive resort of Porto Cervo.

The deceased is a 24-year-old Italian woman who worked as a babysitter. Tests on Spohr for alcohol and drugs were negative.

Investigators hope to gain more information about the incident from security camera footage.