Former ski champion investigated after fatal collision with influencer on honeymoon

Former Italian ski champion Peter Runggaldier is under investigation after a tragic collision in the Dolomites resulted in the death of German influencer Laura Viktoria Härtig. The accident occurred on June 23 on the Sella mountain pass as Härtig, 30, was cycling downhill and Runggaldier, 57, was riding his motorcycle uphill. The impact was severe, reportedly splitting Härtig's bicycle in half and throwing her onto the asphalt.

Emergency services arrived quickly, providing on-site resuscitation before airlifting Härtig to a nearby hospital. She was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries and remained in a coma for nearly three weeks. Despite efforts to stabilize her, her family made the difficult decision to transfer her to a specialized clinic in Murnau, Germany, closer to her hometown. Sadly, she passed away 19 days after the accident, surrounded by her family.

Härtig, who was active on Instagram as "alltimelaura," was a passionate adventurer, hiker, and cyclist, frequently sharing photos of her mountain excursions. She described herself as an "outdoor enthusiast" who loved skiing, hiking, climbing, cycling, and mountains. Ironically, the mountains she cherished became the site of her premature death. Just two days before the crash, she had shared photos from her wedding in the Dolomites, writing, "Soulmate for life," to her partner, Tilman. The couple had chosen the idyllic setting to begin their honeymoon, unaware of the impending tragedy.

Runggaldier, a legend in speed skiing, achieved his greatest success by winning the super-G World Cup in the 1994-1995 season, with 12 World Cup podium finishes and two victories during his career. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.