White Fiat Uno resprayed red

THE crash in the Alma Tunnel on August 31, 1997, happened four minutes after Princess Diana’s Mercedes sped from the back of the Ritz hotel to try to escape paparazzi.

Forensic and crash experts assessed skid marks on the road and the damage to the Mercedes, which had been travelling at 65mph – more than twice the speed limit.

Two weeks after the crash, French police announced that the Mercedes had collided with another car shortly before losing control and crashing.

White scratches on the Mercedes, as well as broken tail lights found at the scene, led experts to conclude that the car was a white Fiat Uno, made between 1983 and 1989.

Le Van Thanh’s father said in 2006 that his son had re-sprayed his white Uno red hours after the accident – allegedly waking up his mechanic brother in the night to help him.