A Moscow incident involved a mechanic allegedly stealing a rare 1992 Nissan Skyline R32 and crashing it into a pole. Eyewitness photographs from the scene were shared on social media, according to REN TV reports, highlighting the dramatic aftermath.
The crash occurred on Molodogvardeyskaya Street in the Kuntsevo district of the city. The car owner, Nikita, explained that he had trusted a mechanic he knew with maintenance at a garage on Polotskaya Street a few days earlier. Upon returning home, Nikita discovered his vehicle severely damaged after striking a traffic light pole, leaving little doubt about the severity of the incident.
From Nikita’s account, the mechanic is said to have taken the car while intoxicated and sustained a concussion in the collision. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, the mechanic reportedly claimed that he was not the driver and that he did not remember details of the events, a denial that baffled those on site.
“Such cars hold a special place in automotive circles. The Skyline was highly regarded, even revered, for its performance and design. The owner emphasized that the vehicle had seen little use beyond occasional appearances at exhibitions, spending most of its time in a garage rather than on the road.”
In a separate note, the report briefly mentioned a past incident involving a taxi driver from the Leningrad region who was attacked after a car door was scratched, hinting at a broader climate of aggression that can accompany disputes over vehicles and ownership.
The incident has drawn attention from car enthusiasts and safety advocates alike, who question security measures at maintenance facilities and the process by which a high-value vehicle could be entrusted to a worker who may not be fully accountable. Local authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the theft, the handling of the vehicle, and the sequence of events leading up to the crash, including whether proper procedures were observed in the garage setting.
The Skyline R32, often described as a landmark in automotive history, is valued for its engineering heritage and cultural significance within the tuner community. The event underscores the ongoing concerns about asset protection, secure access in service environments, and the accountability of individuals who handle rare and collectible vehicles. As investigations continue, observers hope for clarity on the driver’s identity, the ownership status of the vehicle, and any legal implications that may arise from the alleged theft and crash, as well as steps that could prevent similar incidents in the future.