THE wife of a billionaire airline CEO ran down and killed a young woman in Sardinia before fleeing the holiday hotspot, reports claim.

Vivian Alexandra Spohr, 51, the wife of Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr, reportedly hit 24-year-old Gaia Costa as she was crossing the road.

Gaia, who worked as a babysitter, tragically lost her life when an SUV hit her while she was using a zebra crossing in the Italian seaside resort of Porto Cervo.

The babysitter is said to have raised her arm in an attempt to warn the BMW of her presence before being hit at around 1:30pm on Tuesday.

Reports suggest the 51-year-old driver drove a few metres before stopping and “immediately” realised what had happened.

According to La Repubblica, Gaia was still alive when assistance arrived, but she suffered critical head injuries and sadly passed away at the scene.

Vivian Spohr is now being investigated for negligent homicide in road traffic, the newspaper added.

She is said to have travelled back to Munich while prosecutor Milena Aucone was registering her as a suspect.

A statement read: “Vivian Spohr, who was involved in the tragic death, expresses her dismay and deep regret over this very serious accident.

“She has fully cooperated with the judicial authorities for the required investigations and, while understanding that such a profound personal loss can’t be undone, she will act to lessen the impact of the consequences.”

Ms Spohr had been holidaying at her family’s house abroad when the tragedy unfolded, local media reports.

CCTV reportedly captured Gaia crossing the road before seeing an SUV approaching.

She tried to stop it by waving her hand but was struck by the vehicle.

An ambulance was scrambled to the scene, with paramedics spending over 20 minutes trying to revive her.

Ms Spohr, who was allegedly driving with her daughter in the car, apparently didn’t initially notice the accident and was stopped by an onlooker, L’Unione Sarda reports.

She was then so shocked upon seeing seriously injured Gaia that she fainted, the newspaper added.

Following the tragedy, Ms Spohr was said to have undergone alcohol and drug tests, but the results were negative.

The SUV that hit Gaia has since been seized and is to undergo various technical investigations.

The CCTV footage is also being reviewed.

An examination of Gaia’s body was reportedly conducted on Wednesday.

Mayor Gianni Addis paid tribute to the young woman, saying: “Gaia was a young woman who was deeply involved in the city’s social and cultural life.

“She was passionate about our traditions and never missed the parades of the local folk group.”