It was a rainy Tuesday on October 10, 2017, when Natalia Borodina made the decision to go for a drive in the outskirts of Punta Cana with her friend Ivana. Little did Natalia know that this impromptu decision would be her last. Natalia, a Russian interpreter and mother on vacation in the Dominican Republic, was also a real estate agent back home in Keynes, France.

Her 11-year-old son was left behind at the hotel as Natalia embarked on what would become a fatal journey.

A Moment of Playfulness

As Natalia and Ivana made their way back home after a day spent on the beach, Natalia decided to embrace the moment and spontaneously took off her bikini top. Leaning out of the window, she began to sing and dance, capturing the attention of her friend who filmed the whole scene. Natalia playfully stuck her finger in her mouth and laughed at the camera, momentarily distracting Ivana, who was holding the steering wheel with her left hand.

A Tragic Accident

Unbeknownst to Ivana, the distraction caused by Natalia’s playful antics prevented her from seeing the upcoming curb. The car was too close, and Natalia’s head collided with a nearby street sign. The graphic video footage shows the exact moment of impact, causing Natalia’s body to lunge to the right. Vivana’s screams can be heard as the video abruptly ends.

From Hospital to Tragedy

Natalia was immediately rushed to the hospital with serious head injuries but, tragically, she passed away within hours of her arrival. Following the accident, Ivana was arrested by authorities after the exact road sign that Natalia collided with was identified. Tire marks confirmed that the dented red Kia Picanto car veered into the yellow curb, leading to the fatal accident.

Clearing of Wrongdoing

Initially, police suspected alcohol played a role in the crash, but after testing, they released Ivana and cleared her of any wrongdoing. It was determined that she had not broken any laws, and Natalia’s death was a result of her own negligence.

A Grieving Friend and Mother

Natalia’s friend back home revealed that she was grieving during her time in the Dominican Republic due to a recent divorce and the infrequent visits her ex-husband made to see their son. Described as a caring daughter, a good mother, and the financial support for most of her family, Natalia’s tragic story is made even sadder by the fact that her family learned about her death through the internet.

Custody Battles and Orphanage Fears

Following Natalia’s death, her former husband, Alexander, fought to gain custody of their son and prevent him from ending up in an orphanage. Natalia’s sister assured that she would continue to look after the young boy with the consent of his father.

The Cost of Saying Goodbye

However, Natalia’s family faced another challenge when they learned that they couldn’t afford the $20,000 it would cost to fly her body back to Russia for a proper funeral. They were under the impression that Natalia didn’t have insurance to cover the expenses of transporting her body in the event of an accidental death. Fortunately, it was later confirmed that she was indeed covered by insurance, allowing her family members to be by her side during her final farewell.

A Life Cut Short

Natalia Borodina was just 37 years old at the time of her accidental death. Her story serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have with our loved ones.