An apparent fall of a BMW X6 from the third level of a Krasnodar shopping center parking structure has raised questions about what happened and how speed, design, and surface conditions may have contributed. A friend of the deceased, Rafael Arakelyan, spoke with socialbites.ca and offered his perspective on the driver and his character. He described the man as experienced and not someone who indulged in reckless thrill-seeking behind the wheel.
“I’ve known him for a year or two. We often traveled together. He was the type to advise the younger person in the group to slow down. He wasn’t a fan of racing. In one frame from the parking lot video, you can see a rise at the entrance. As a driver with 15 years of experience, I can say that when you reach the top of the incline, visibility is limited. This car is fast, very fast, almost like a sports car. As it approached the ramp, there was a sharp turn to the right, and I knew I wouldn’t have time to react. The distance was tight. He also drove a much larger vehicle — a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 — which is significantly bigger. This man had substantial driving experience. It might have been a visual illusion. The coating there can be slippery. There is a polished surface that makes stopping harder. I couldn’t climb those spikes in winter”. The friend noted that the road surface and ramp geometry could confuse drivers in certain conditions.
When asked whether the driver had visited the Galereya shopping center parking lot recently, Rafael could not confirm specifics. “I don’t know. But if he had visited there often, this might not have happened. I know him to be sensible and judicious. He was well-behaved and did not take unnecessary risks. He was not alone; a girl and a child were in the vehicle. This is not someone who would drive for show. Some suggested he was trying to impress the girl, but that claim feels misplaced. He contributed to the community by helping many in need through a rehabilitation center he helped establish in the city. He set an example for others and lived by it”. The friend stressed the driver’s community involvement and steady character.
On June 25, Krasnodar media reported that the BMW crashed from the parking lot on the third floor. The vehicle carried a man, a woman, and a teenager who were found unconscious at the scene, according to the Rossiya.Kuban Telegram channel cited by local authorities. Medical teams arriving at the location were unable to save the injured. The incident prompted investigations into ramp design, surface conditions, and safety measures at the site.
Video footage that surfaced online showed the BMW X6 accelerating moments before lifting off from the third floor. The clip was shared by the Telegram channel 112 and has been used by authorities and the public to review the moment of takeoff and the preceding actions. Eyewitnesses described how the accident unfolded and the potential dangers posed by elevated parking structures in urban centers.
An eyewitness described the moment as the car nearly struck a friend before the vehicle left the ground, underscoring the immediacy and chaos of the incident. This account, like others, highlights the need for enhanced safety protocols and clearer signage in parking areas that feature steep ramps and polished surfaces that can become slick in certain weather conditions. The incident remains a focus for ongoing coverage by local media and safety officials, who aim to understand how such events can be prevented in the future. The community is left to reflect on the balance between everyday driving and the design features of multi-level parking facilities, and how responsible driving can coincide with safer infrastructure.