Recently, the wife of Hansa Airline CEO, Viviane Alexandra Schipper, was involved in a fatal car accident while on vacation in Sicily. After the incident, she had returned to Germany, but Italian prosecutors announced an official investigation into the case of negligence manslaughter.
On the morning of July 8th, local time, Viviane drove her off-road vehicle and hit 24-year-old Gaia Costa. At the time, Costa was crossing a pedestrian crossing at the luxurious town of Cherbourg in Sicily, heading to a villa to start her nannying job.
Police reported that witnesses saw Costa making gestures to warn the driver to stop before being hit. After the accident, Viviane continued driving until a bystander signaled for her to stop. Reports indicate that Viviane fainted upon realizing the incident.
After the police report, emergency personnel rushed to the scene and performed CPR for about 20 minutes on Costa. However, due to severe head injuries, she was declared dead on the spot. Viviane also underwent drug and alcohol tests, which came back negative. Italian authorities are investigating her phone records and CCTV footage to determine whether distracted driving was a factor in the accident. Any evidence of negligence could significantly impact the charges.
Upon examination, Viviane returned to Berlin, Germany. Local media reported that she is assisting with the investigation. A statement from her lawyer stated that she has cooperated with the Italian judicial authorities. Anjelo Merlini, Viviane’s lawyer, told the media that under legal requirements, Viviane had no obligation to remain in Italy to participate in the ongoing investigation, “Viviane has been involved in this tragic death, feeling shocked and deeply regretful about this very serious accident.”
It is known that the deceased, Costa, was a dedicated, caring young woman who loved her community and was hardworking and cheerful. The Mayor of Cherbourg recalled that Costa was passionate about the local customs and culture, “She deeply participated in the social and cultural life of the city.”
Cherbourg is a luxury resort area in Sicily, famous for its summer offerings to high-end tourists. 58-year-old Hansa Airline CEO, Carsten Schipper, along with his wife, has two daughters. 51-year-old Viviane not only serves as the wife of the CEO but also oversees Hansa Airline’s operations in Germany.
Editor: Zhang Li
Proofreader: Guan Li