LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — After a video of a Jeep crashing head-on right into a Tesla on a mountain street outdoors 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 affect.
The proprietor of the Tesla, 67-year-old Radu Stefan, mentioned 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 direction of the mountain, and I used to be barely in a position to cease it at one level,” Stefan mentioned throughout an interview on Friday at his dwelling. “Due to the affect, one thing occurred with the electrical system or one thing, so we simply out of the blue 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 telephone 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 an alternative 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 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 nicely and saved our lives,” Stefan mentioned.
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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, possibly the driving force was in shock, possibly there’s extra to the story,” Repair mentioned.
She mentioned suspension injury probably from the crash probably 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 attainable for a Tesla to malfunction that manner after a crash?” and Repair responded, “Usually no. Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration controls a whole lot of these driving options. Any automobile will not be going to take off by itself. It might be below the management of the driving force.”
Stefan mentioned he didn’t subscribe to the self-driving function 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 affect stay in query, he continues looking for 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 referred to as, together with Nevada State Police, who’re investigating the case, in line with Stefan.
