A former Miss Universe contestant has tragically died following a freak car accident in Russia that left her with devastating brain injuries after an elk crashed through the windshield of her Porsche.
Kseniya Alexandrova, 30, who earned the title of Vice-Miss Russia in 2017 and went on to compete at Miss Universe later that year, was travelling with her husband in Tver Oblast on 5 July when the horrific incident occurred.
The couple were driving their Porsche Panamera when the elk suddenly leapt into the road and smashed through the luxury vehicle’s windscreen. Alexandrova, seated in the passenger side, was struck directly and suffered catastrophic head injuries.
Her husband survived the crash but described the terrifying moment in vivid detail to Russian outlet RIA, saying: “From the moment it jumped out to the impact, a split second passed. I didn’t have time to do anything. The elk flew into the car. The blow hit Ksyusha in the head. She was unconscious, her head was broken, everything was covered in blood.”
The front of the animal’s legs reportedly shattered the model’s skull, leaving her in a deep coma. Despite over a month of treatment in hospital, Alexandrova never regained consciousness and passed away on 15 August.
Her modelling agency confirmed her death on Friday, noting that she had been in critical condition since the accident. The couple were newlyweds, having only tied the knot four months before tragedy struck.
Alexandrova’s career had seen her rise to national prominence after finishing runner-up at Miss Russia 2017, before representing her country at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas later that year. Though she did not reach the Top 16, she remained active in modelling and maintained a popular presence on Instagram, where she often shared glimpses of her personal life.
Tributes have poured in across Russian media and social platforms, with many lamenting the sudden loss of a young woman who had become a familiar face in the country’s entertainment and fashion industry.
Her husband, who has not been named publicly, has been left heartbroken after surviving the crash that claimed the life of his wife.
“She was my whole world,” he reportedly told friends following her death.
Alexandrova’s tragic passing highlights the dangers posed by wild animals on rural Russian roads, where collisions involving elk and other large wildlife are not uncommon due to the vehicles’ speed and the animals’ unpredictable movements.
Her death adds to a spate of recent freak accidents that have made headlines globally, but the scale of the tragedy is compounded by the fact she was only just beginning a new chapter in life as a newlywed.
Kseniya Alexandrova is survived by her husband and family, who are now preparing for her funeral.