Handing over your keys to a valet is supposed to be the easy part of a night out. For Australian billionaire Laurence Escalante, it turned into one of the most expensive parking mishaps on record. At Crown Resorts in Perth, a valet driver moving his teal Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae lost control and slammed into another of his Lamborghinis, a purple Aventador, parked nearby. Together, the two cars were reported to be worth around $2 million.
What Happened
Footage of the aftermath, shared on Instagram by Australian jiu-jitsu champion Craig Jones, a friend of Escalante, quickly went viral. The video shows the two damaged supercars wedged together in the resort’s car park, with the valet driver audibly distraught at what had just happened.
Reports suggested the driver underestimated the car’s power while parking it. Crown confirmed that the incident was being investigated and that nobody was injured. A spokesperson for Escalante later said the resort was working positively with him to fix the cars.
Who Owns the Cars?
Escalante is the founder of Virtual Gaming Worlds, the company behind popular social casino platforms, which he started in 2010. His fortune has been estimated at around $3 billion, and he is known in Australia for his collection of high-end cars, including several Lamborghinis.
The Cars at the Centre of the Story
The Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae was the final version of the Aventador, Lamborghini’s flagship V12 supercar, and the last Lamborghini to use a purely naturally aspirated V12 without hybrid assistance. Its 6.5-litre engine produces 780 PS, and only around 350 coupés and 250 roadsters were built worldwide, making it highly collectible.
In Australia, where taxes and import costs raise prices significantly, an Aventador of this kind can cost around $1 million, which is how the combined figure of roughly $2 million was reached.
How Low-Speed Mistakes Become Expensive
Modern supercars are extraordinarily powerful, and even a small press of the throttle can produce sudden acceleration, especially in tight spaces or on smooth car park surfaces. The Aventador’s all-wheel drive, wide body and limited visibility add to the challenge for someone unfamiliar with it.
Even at low speed, a collision can damage carbon-fibre body panels, suspension components, radiators and complex electronics. Repairs on cars like these are measured in tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Damage Beyond What You Can See
Visible dents are often only part of the story. Carbon-fibre structures can suffer hidden damage that requires specialist inspection. Sensors, cooling systems and suspension geometry may also need checking. For a limited-edition car, getting genuine factory parts can take time.
The Provenance Problem
For collectors, a car’s history matters. A documented accident can reduce value even after a perfect repair, because buyers often pay a premium for cars with clean histories. On the other hand, factory-approved repairs with full documentation can help limit that loss.
Who Pays When a Valet Crashes a Supercar?
Liability usually depends on the terms of the valet service, local law and insurance policies. Venues offering valet parking typically carry insurance to cover damage to vehicles in their care, and many valet tickets include terms limiting liability. In high-value cases, the owner’s insurer and the venue’s insurer may negotiate who covers what.
In this case, reports indicated Crown was working with Escalante to resolve the situation.
Why Valet Experience Doesn’t Always Transfer
Driving everyday cars well does not automatically prepare someone for a 780-horsepower V12. Supercars have different throttle responses, gearboxes, driving modes and dimensions. Some high-end venues train specific staff to handle exotic cars, or ask owners whether they would prefer to park themselves.
What Owners Check Before Handing Over Keys
Owners of rare cars often take simple precautions: using valet modes where available, which limit power and speed, asking for experienced staff, photographing the car before handover or choosing self-parking for particularly valuable vehicles. Some prefer venues with dedicated supercar parking areas.
What Venues May Reconsider
Incidents like this push luxury hotels and casinos to review their procedures, from staff training and insurance cover to whether very high-value cars should be parked by valets at all.
The Social Media Afterlife
Within hours, footage of the crash had been viewed and shared around the world. Stories of supercar accidents attract enormous attention online, combining schadenfreude, fascination with expensive cars and sympathy for the unlucky driver.
What Remains After the Repairs
The Lamborghinis will likely be restored, and the valet’s mistake will gradually fade from memory. But the story remains a vivid reminder of just how much trust is involved every time someone hands over the keys to a seven-figure car.
FAQ
What happened in the Australian Lamborghini valet crash?
A valet at Crown Resorts in Perth lost control of billionaire Laurence Escalante’s Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae while parking it and crashed into another of his Lamborghinis.
Were the cars really worth $2 million?
Each was reported to be worth around $1 million in Australia, giving a combined value of roughly $2 million.
Was anyone hurt?
No. Crown said there were no injuries.
Who pays when a valet crashes a car?
It depends on the valet terms, local law and insurance. Venues usually carry insurance for cars in their care, and insurers may negotiate liability.
Can a repaired Lamborghini lose value?
Yes. A recorded accident can reduce value for collectors, although documented, factory-approved repairs help limit the impact.
