LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — After a video of a Jeep crashing head-on right into a Tesla on a mountain street exterior of Las Vegas obtained 13 million views on a Information 3 reporter’s social media account, a giant query stays about why the Tesla accelerated ahead after the impression.
The proprietor of the Tesla, 67-year-old Radu Stefan, mentioned he is uncertain what occurred after the collision on Sunday, July 7 on the Deer Creek Highway and Lee Canyon Highway intersection on Mount Charleston.
“We misplaced management of the automobile, the automobile went in the direction of the mountain, and I used to be barely capable of cease it at one level,” Stefan mentioned throughout an interview on Friday at his residence. “Due to the impression, one thing occurred with the electrical system or one thing, so we simply all of a sudden accelerated.”
Stefan mentioned he pumped the brake pedal to make the automobile cease after it swerved to the suitable and left of the roadway because it accelerated ahead earlier than coming to a cease.
On Monday, Stefan mentioned on the cellphone with Information 3’s Cristen Drummond that he’s uncertain if his Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary Twin Motor mannequin malfunctioned or he by accident pressed the accelerator as an alternative of the brake whereas in a state of shock, after serious about it over the weekend.
His automobile has an Occasion Knowledge Recorder, which might decide if the accelerator or brake pedal is pressed, however he doesn’t have plans to retrieve it now and analyze the knowledge. He’s extra involved about repairing the injury to his automobile, which went to a restore store, and discovering the driving force of the Jeep who drove away.
“It absorbed the hit so effectively and saved our lives,” Stefan mentioned.
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Information 3 contacted auto professional Lauren Repair with Car Coach Reports concerning the video of the crash and aftermath.
“The truth that the automobile took off by itself, perhaps the driving force was in shock, perhaps there’s extra to the story,” Repair mentioned.
She mentioned suspension injury presumably from the crash possible triggered the driving force to not management steering the automobile because it accelerated ahead, which triggered the Tesla to swerve.
Cristen Drummond requested her, “Is it doable for a Tesla to malfunction that approach after a crash?” and Repair responded, “Sometimes no. Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration controls a whole lot of these driving options. Any car shouldn’t be going to take off by itself. It could be below the management of the driving force.”
Stefan mentioned he didn’t subscribe to the self-driving characteristic with Tesla.
Stefan mentioned he stopped full-coverage insurance coverage on his Tesla in March after the charges went up and determined to go for liability-only.
Whereas the moments after impression stay in query, he continues trying to find the Jeep driver. After his automobile stopped up the street, he reversed again to the intersection, however the Jeep and the driving force have been gone. First responders have been known as, together with Nevada State Police, who’re investigating the case, based on Stefan.
