A supercar convoy broke traffic rules by ‘jumping red lights’ and ‘failing to yield’ during the luxury rally that led to a horror crash that left two people dead in Italy on Monday, according to local media.
Graphic footage captured the horrifying moment billionaire Vikas Oberoi’s blue Lamborghini appeared to veer into the path of a red Ferrari that was about to overtake it.
The impact sent both cars flying into a camper van which overturned, while the Ferrari Portofino of two Swiss tourists crashed off the road and burst into flames.
Swiss tourists Markus Krautli, 67, and his wife Melissa, 63, died in the fire, while Oberoi and his glamorous Bollywood wife Gayatri Joshi were unhurt and were later pictured by their wrecked Lamborghini Huracan.
There was no indication that those involved in the deadly incident had broken traffic rules as the convoy traveled from Pula in southern Sardinia to Olbia in the north.
Property tycoon Oberoi, 54, was investigated for causing the twin deaths but has reportedly since returned to India.
Because he has not been formally charged, no travel restrictions have been imposed on him.
Gayatri Joshi has been pictured on the side of the road, with reports claiming she cried as she viewed the wreckage of their car in the aftermath of the crash. According to Indian media outlet NDTV, her husband Vikas Oberoi is believed to be the man watching with his hands on his hips
Billionaire Oberoi, 54, is said to have driven the Lamborghini last week as part of an Italian supercar tour
The Swiss couple Markus and Melissa Krautli, from Wallisellen near Zurich, died in the red Ferrari
The blue Lamborghini collides with the Ferrari while simultaneously trying to overtake the camper
A spokesman for Mr Oberoi Realty’s firm Oberoi told MailOnline that Mr Oberoi and his wife had returned, but declined to comment further.
A statement released after the crash said the couple were unharmed and added: “The relevant authorities are investigating the incident and until the facts are established we cannot comment on the subject.”
The camper’s occupants, two tourists from northern Italy, were unharmed and all three vehicles involved were later seized and taken for investigation by police.
Before news of his return to India was announced, a police source in Sardinia told MailOnline: ‘An Indian national has been placed on the official register and (is) under investigation for causing the death of two people in a road accident.
‘He has not been officially charged and as such is free to go and even leave the country. No restrictions have been placed on him and the prosecutor has not asked for anything to prevent him from traveling.
“Experts will be appointed by the public prosecutor to examine the cars, road and weather conditions and those under investigation can also appoint their experts.
“If the prosecutor decides to file formal charges, the relevant authorities in India will be notified and a decision on possible extradition will be made.”
If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison and dashcam footage shows his car crossing a solid white line that prohibits overtaking.
After the incident, Gayatri told the Indian media, “Vikas and I are in Italy. We had an accident here. By God’s grace, we’re both doing just fine.’
The investigation is being led by Cagliari-based prosecutor Giangiacomo Pilia, who said he was investigating a possible charge of “double street murder.”
Footage was seized from several bystanders and it has since emerged that the main clip was taken by an off-duty German police officer who was on holiday and was reportedly ‘shocked’ by the driving she had witnessed.
Mr. Oberoi is the chairman and managing director of Mumbai-listed Oberoi Realty, a company known for building luxury properties and worth $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, pictured with her husband at a party for the film Speedy Singh in 2011, told Indian media after the crash: ‘By God’s grace we are fine’
The aftermath of the crash on the Italian island of Sardinia, where the blue Lamborghini went off the road and a white camper ended up on its side
Oberoi, who was reportedly driving the Lamborghini, and Ms Joshi escaped unhurt but were visibly shaken after the crash.
Ms Joshi, who sat on the tarmac after the crash, was reportedly seen sobbing as she stared at the wreckage of their car.
Oberoi, meanwhile, was seen with his hands on his hips and looking on in disbelief, according to Indian outlet NDTV.
Ms Joshi, who starred in the Bollywood blockbuster Swades, told India’s Free Press Journal: ‘Vikas and I are in Italy. We had an accident here… By God’s grace, we’re both doing just fine.”
Oberoi is considered one of the richest men in India.
He owns a major luxury hotel resort chain that operates dozens of locations in India and abroad, 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 offices in Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal.
A couple from Selva di Val Gardena, aged 61 and 62, who were traveling in the camper, were taken to hospital.
‘We were lying sideways in our chairs. For a moment we were silent in disbelief. Then I looked my wife in the eyes and asked her if everything was okay. She nodded,” Lorenzo M, who was in the camper, told Italian news channel L’Unione Sarda.
The couple crawled out from between the seats and were able to escape from the vehicle.
“When we came out we thought we were in hell,” he added.
The Ferrari was on fire and screams could be heard across the road, Bild reports.
Images show the destroyed vehicle on the side of the road.
Mr. Krautli worked at the family logistics company that bore his name, with offices in Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal
Property tycoon Oberoi, pictured with Ms Joshi during 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
The video shows a row of colorful sports cars making their way through Sardinia
A couple in their 60s escaped from the white camper that overturned in the crash
A firefighter sprays the burning Ferrari after the crash
The supercars drove on national road 195 Sulcitana in the municipality of San Giovanni Suergiu in southern Sardinia
In the video, the blue Lamborghini Huracan is shown badly damaged on the side of the road, surrounded by a cloud of dust and smoke, while the camper blocks both lanes.
Another video of the aftermath shows several sports cars not involved in the collision parked along the road.
People have gathered next to the wrecked Lamborghini and overturned camper as black smoke billows from the flaming Ferrari, while an ambulance crew is also at the scene.
The remains of the three vehicles have been seized by authorities as investigations continue.
The supercars drove on national road 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, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported.
According to Italian media, all occupants of the luxury cars took part in the Sardinia Supercar Experience event, which started in Teulada and would end in Olbia.
For several days, participants drive around the island in Ferraris and Lamborghinis, visiting viewpoints and staying overnight in expensive hotels.
If tourists travel with their own car, the trip will cost £10,409. A multi-day trip in a rented Ferrari SF90 from the organizer can be booked for £21,515.