A late-night joyride took a dramatic turn in southern Kazakhstan as a driver lost control and crashed into a prominent Christmas tree, toppling it over. Captured on video, the incident occurred in the central square of the town of Saryagash.

Surveillance footage reveals the driver maneuvering a Russian-made Lada sedan at high speed into the square during the early morning hours. The driver proceeded to execute tight circular spins, known as donuts, in the otherwise deserted area.

However, as the driver attempted another spin, the car swung wider than anticipated and veered directly into a 40-foot Christmas tree that stood proudly in the square’s center.

The vehicle collided with the decorated tree, causing it to crash to the ground and scattering lights across the pavement. The impact swiftly flattened the illuminated holiday display.

This reckless act, captured by CCTV, ended with the driver fleeing the scene, leaving behind a toppled symbol of holiday cheer. The moment was reported by East2West, highlighting a night of chaos in what would otherwise be a tranquil town square.

The driver sped away, leaving the toppled tree lying flat in the square.

According to The Sun, witnesses said the vehicle’s tires screeched as the driver circled the square, narrowly missing street furniture and festive decorations in the moments leading up to the crash.

CCTV captured a reckless late-night joyride spiraling out of control as a driver crashed into a towering Christmas tree in a Kazakhstan town square before fleeing. (East2West)

The Sun also reported that Saryagash District Police said in a statement they received a report around 3 a.m. that an unknown driver had crashed into the main Christmas tree installed in the central square and then fled.

“Officers carefully studied the recordings from the area using CCTV cameras,” police said in the statement. “As a result, the identity of the offender was established.”

CCTV captured a reckless late night joyride spiraling out of control as a driver crashed into a towering Christmas tree in a Kazakhstan town square before fleeing. (East2West)

Police later confirmed the driver was behind the wheel of a VAZ-2105 Lada.

Investigators tracked him down after reviewing the surveillance footage, and his vehicle was subsequently impounded, according to the report.

CCTV captured a reckless late night joyride as a driver crashed into a towering Christmas tree in a Kazakhstan town square before fleeing. (East2West)

Authorities said the driver was issued a fine for dangerous driving. In an unusual outcome, police also ordered him to repair the damage he caused to the holiday display.

“The young driver repaired the damaged tree and promised not to commit similar offenses in the future,” police said.