A newly released video reveals a fireball engulfing a 2021 Tesla Model 3 following a fatal crash in San Diego.
The footage displays the remnants of the vehicle in flames as first responders arrive at the scene where a 20-year-old driver lost his life after colliding with a pole.
The Tesla had veered off the road, ending up in a steep 30-foot drop to railroad tracks, lacking a retaining wall along the road’s edge.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The incident occurred on Genesee Avenue near University City High School around 4:30 a.m.
The unnamed driver made an ‘unsafe move,’ striking the right-side curb and crashing into a light pole.
Despite first responders arriving promptly, the driver succumbed to the flames before being transported to a hospital.
It remains uncertain if the Tesla’s driverless technology was engaged during the crash.
Tesla’s History of Fire Incidents
Tesla has faced previous instances of its electric vehicles catching fire, often requiring significant water resources to extinguish due to the nature of the batteries.
An investigation into a Colorado crash in 2022 suggested that a Tesla employee may have been the first person to die in a crash caused by the company’s self-driving technology.
The incident raised concerns about the reliability of Tesla’s autonomous features.
Challenges in Responding to Tesla Fires
Emergency responders and firefighters have encountered challenges when responding to Tesla fires, particularly due to the unique nature of the electric battery.
Tesla’s emergency response guide indicates that extinguishing a battery fire in a Model Y requires a significant amount of water, approximately 3,000-8,000 gallons, making it a complex and time-consuming process compared to traditional gas-powered car fires.
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