LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — After a video of a Jeep crashing head-on right into a Tesla on a mountain highway exterior of Las Vegas acquired 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, stated he is not sure 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 in a position to cease it at one level,” Stefan stated 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 immediately accelerated.”
Stefan stated he pumped the brake pedal to make the automobile cease after it swerved to the best and left of the roadway because it accelerated ahead earlier than coming to a cease.
On Monday, Stefan stated on the cellphone with Information 3’s Cristen Drummond that he’s not sure if his Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary Twin Motor mannequin malfunctioned or he by accident pressed the accelerator as a substitute of the brake whereas in a state of shock, after fascinated by it over the weekend.
His automobile has an Occasion Information Recorder, which may decide if the accelerator or brake pedal is pressed, however he doesn’t have plans to retrieve it now and analyze the data. He’s extra involved about repairing the harm to his automobile, which went to a restore store, and discovering the motive force of the Jeep who drove away.
“It absorbed the hit so nicely and saved our lives,” Stefan stated.
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Information 3 contacted auto skilled 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 motive force was in shock, perhaps there’s extra to the story,” Repair stated.
She stated suspension harm probably from the crash seemingly induced the motive force to not management steering the automobile because it accelerated ahead, which induced the Tesla to swerve.
Cristen Drummond requested her, “Is it attainable for a Tesla to malfunction that means after a crash?” and Repair responded, “Usually no. Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration controls a number of these driving options. Any car shouldn’t be going to take off by itself. It will be beneath the management of the motive force.”
Stefan stated he didn’t subscribe to the self-driving function with Tesla.
Stefan stated 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 highway, he reversed again to the intersection, however the Jeep and the motive force have been gone. First responders have been referred to as, together with Nevada State Police, who’re investigating the case, in keeping with Stefan.
