The fatal crash involving footballer Alexander Karakin may have been caused by aquaplaning — a loss of tire grip on a wet road surface. Wet asphalt can create a thin film of water between the tire and the roadway, reducing traction and making steering and braking difficult. An acquaintance of Karakin, Nikita, shared this perspective with a local news outlet, noting that semi‑professional sports tires were reportedly fitted to Karakin’s car.
Nikita offered his assessment, suggesting that the vehicle could have entered a moment of aquaplaning when the road was slick from recent rain. He described a city-wide downpour that left many surfaces damp and speculated that road surfaces might not have dried quickly enough. He also mentioned the possibility that road conditions were affected by municipal water use, which could have contributed to surface wetness.
According to Nikita, Karakin began engaging with cars around 2014 or 2015, even before gaining prominence in football. He recalled that Karakin owned a notably “charged” car and that the former Khimki player had participated in amateur football leagues as well.
“He worked at our company and developed an interest in cars early on, owning a car that stood out in its performance. He also played for our amateur football team, with that hobby forming a part of his identity,” said the witness. He added that Karakin was a cordial and approachable person, generally easygoing and not confrontational. The loss felt deeply, and the community mourns the tragedy. The witness emphasized that contact had lessened after Karakin left the company but followed his professional and athletic progress from afar.
Nikita also noted that Minsk Highway has long been a social gathering spot where people come to talk and share interests. For the past three years, car clubs have organized Thursday gatherings with police oversight. In his view, law enforcement has kept a close watch on activity during these events, with regular checks on paperwork and confiscation of unregistered vehicles. He suggested that, up to this point, the scene had appeared controlled, with no signs of major trouble until the most recent incident.
Historically, the location has drawn enthusiasts who meet to discuss automotive topics and occasionally participate in informal races. Car clubs and chat groups routinely converged on Thursdays, with police teams present to monitor proceedings. While the overall atmosphere had seemed orderly, the latest events appear to have spiraled beyond the control of those watching the scene, according to the account provided by Nikita.
Earlier reports from a popular Telegram channel described Karakin, a 32-year-old former player for Khimki, Spartak-2, and Dynamo-2, as involved in a street race near Moscow. The channel claimed that the accident occurred late at night on the Minsk highway, at the 30th kilometer, while Karakin drove a Nissan GT-R. It was reported that he and a passenger were transported to a hospital in serious condition, and later, that Karakin did not survive. The Moscow region prosecutor’s office later confirmed the death. Local authorities have not released further official statements at the time of this summary, and inquiries remain ongoing for additional context about the circumstances surrounding the crash.