According to local media, a supercar convoy broke traffic rules during the luxury rally by “jumping red lights” and “failing to yield,” leading to a horrific accident in Italy on Monday that killed two people.
Graphic footage captured the terrifying moment when billionaire Vikas Oberoi’s blue Lamborghini appeared to veer into the path of a red Ferrari trying to overtake him.
The impact sent both cars flying into an overturning caravan, while two Swiss tourists’ Ferrari Portofino left the road and burst into flames.
Swiss tourists Markus Krautli, 67, and his wife Melissa, 63, died in the fire, while Mr Oberoi and his glamorous Bollywood wife Gayatri Joshi were unhurt and were later pictured with their destroyed Lamborghini Huracan.
There was no evidence that those involved in the fatal incident broke traffic rules as the convoy traveled from Pula in southern Sardinia to Olbia in the north.
54-year-old real estate tycoon Oberoi was under investigation for causing the double deaths, but he has reportedly since returned to India.
Because he has not been formally charged, no travel restrictions have been placed on him.
Gayatri Joshi is pictured on the side of the road. She reportedly cried as she examined the wreckage of her car after the accident. According to the Indian media channel NDTV, her husband Vikas Oberoi is said to be the man watching with his hands on his hips
Billionaire Oberoi, 54, reportedly drove the Lamborghini as part of an Italian supercar tour last week
The Swiss couple Markus and Melissa Krautli from Wallisellen near Zurich were killed in the red Ferrari
The blue Lamborghini collides with the Ferrari, which at the same time tries to overtake the motorhome
A spokesman for Mr Oberoi’s company, Oberoi Realty, told Web that Mr Oberoi and his wife had returned, but declined to comment further.
A statement released after the crash said the couple were uninjured, adding: “The relevant authorities are investigating the incident and until the facts are established we cannot comment on the matter.”
The occupants of the motorhome, two tourists from northern Italy, were uninjured and all three vehicles involved were later confiscated and taken away for investigation by police.
Before news of his return to India broke, a police source in Sardinia told Web: “An Indian citizen has been entered into the official register and.” [is] He is under investigation because he killed two people in a traffic accident.
“He has not been formally charged and is therefore free to leave the country and even leave.” No restrictions have been placed on him and the prosecutor has not requested anything that could prevent him from traveling.
“The prosecutor appoints experts to examine the cars, road and weather conditions, and those under investigation can also appoint their experts.”
“If the prosecutor decides to formally file charges, the relevant authorities in India will be notified and a decision on possible extradition will be made.”
He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted and dashcam footage appeared to show his car crossing a solid white line that prohibits overtaking.
After the incident, Gayatri told Indian media, “Vikas and I are in Italy.” We met with an accident here. “With God’s grace, we are both doing absolutely fine.”
The investigation is being led by Cagliari-based prosecutor Giangiacomo Pilia, who said he was examining a possible charge of “double road murder.”
Footage was seized from several passers-by and it has since emerged that the main clip was shot by an off-duty German police officer who was on holiday and said he was “horrified” by the driving she had seen.
Mr. Oberoi is chairman and managing director of Mumbai-listed Oberoi Realty, a company known for building luxury properties and valued at $3.6 billion, according to Forbes.
He also owns a Westin hotel in Mumbai and is building the country’s first Ritz-Carlton hotel.
The Bollywood star, who was pictured with her husband at a party for the film “Speedy Singh” in 2011, told Indian media after the crash: “With God’s grace we are absolutely fine.”
The consequences of the accident on the Italian island of Sardinia, in which the blue Lamborghini left the road and a white motorhome tipped onto its side
Oberoi, who was reportedly driving the Lamborghini, and Ms Joshi escaped unhurt but were visibly shaken after the accident.
Ms Joshi, who was sitting on the tarmac after the accident, was reportedly seen sobbing as she stared at the wreckage of her car.
Meanwhile, according to Indian broadcaster NDTV, Oberoi was seen with his hands on his hips and looking on in disbelief.
Ms Joshi, who starred in the Bollywood blockbuster Swades, told India’s Free Press Journal: “Vikas and I are in Italy.” “We met with an accident here… With God’s grace, we both are absolutely fine.”
Oberoi is considered one of the richest men in India.
He owns a large luxury hotel-resort chain that operates dozens of locations in India and beyond, as well as seven luxury cruise ships.
The tycoon is also the head of Oberoi Realty, a real estate developer that builds and sells luxury properties in Mumbai.
It was confirmed that Mr and Mrs Krautli from Wallisellen near Zurich died in the burning car.
Mr. Krautli worked at the family logistics company that bore his name and had branches in Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal.
A couple from Selva di Val Gardena, aged 61 and 62, who were traveling in a motorhome were taken to hospital.
“We were lying sideways on our seats. For a moment we were silent in disbelief. Then I looked into my wife’s eyes and asked her if she was okay. “She nodded,” Lorenzo M, who was sitting in the motorhome, told Italian news agency L’Unione Sarda.
The couple crawled out from between the seats and escaped the vehicle.
“When we came out we thought we were in hell,” he added.
The Ferrari was on fire and screams could be heard from across the street, reports Bild.
Pictures show the destroyed vehicle on the side of the road.
Mr. Krautli worked at the family logistics company that bore his name, with branches in Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal
Real estate tycoon Oberoi, pictured with wife Joshi at a comedy show in 2011, is considered one of India’s richest men
The blue Lamborghini is badly damaged on the side of the road
In the video, a line of colorful sports cars can be seen driving up the road in Sardinia
A couple in their 60s escaped from the white mobile home that overturned in the accident
A firefighter sprays the burning Ferrari after the accident
The supercars were driving on state highway 195 Sulcitana in the municipality of San Giovanni Suergiu in southern Sardinia
In the video, the blue Lamborghini Huracan can be seen heavily damaged on the side of the road, surrounded by a cloud of dust and smoke, with the motorhome blocking both lanes.
Another video of the aftermath shows some of the sports cars that were not involved in the collision parked on the side of the road.
People have gathered next to the destroyed Lamborghini and the overturned motorhome as black smoke rises from the burning Ferrari, and an ambulance team is also on the scene.
The remains of the three vehicles have been seized by authorities as the investigation continues.
The supercars were driving on state highway 195 Sulcitana in the municipality of San Giovanni Suergiu in southern Sardinia.
The couple had left Forte Village and were on their way to Mores, reports the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
According to Italian media, all the occupants of the luxury cars took part in the Sardinia Supercar Experience event, which started in Teulada and was scheduled to end in Olbia.
Within a few days, the participants drive across the island in Ferraris and Lamborghinis, visit viewpoints and stay overnight in expensive hotels.
If tourists come with their own car, the trip will cost £10,409. A multi-day trip in the operator’s rental Ferrari SF90 can be booked for £21,515.