Another Florida Tesla accident, this one claiming the lives of two teenagers. Fort Lauderdale Police say that two 18-year-old high school students from Aventura were killed and a third critically injured in the car crash. The Sun-Sentinal reported that witnesses described a horrific scene as the car hit a wall, caught fire, and continued for hundreds of feet.
Larry Groshart, who lived in the house next to the crash scene told the Sentinal that “I heard the tires squealing and saw the vehicle hit and sideswipe” a wall. “I saw it hit the second wall, a rounded wall, and saw it immediately burst into flames.” The car then careened across five lanes of Seabreeze Blvd. (Route A-1A) and lost two wheels before coming to a stop. Onlookers stood by helplessly as the car burned with two teenagers inside. The heat from the fire was too intense for anyone to reach the victims. The two teen dies at the scene. A third teenager was thrown from the vehicle on impact. He remains in the hospital in fair condition.
Speed May be a Factor in Florida Tesla Accident
The posted speed limit on the street is 30 mph, and police say excessive speed may have been a factor in the accident. Police had reportedly cited the driver recently for speeding. He got a ticket for going 112 mph in a 50 mph zone a couple of months ago near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. However, since it was his first offense, the court withheld judgment pending his completion of an aggressive driving course. He also had to pay $590 in court costs.
The driver’s father, concerned about speeding, recently had the 2014 Tesla Model S reprogrammed. The changes prohibited the car from traveling faster than 85 mph. Since the Tesla is not powered by gasoline, officials speculate that the batteries might be the cause of the intense fire after the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
A Florida Tesla accident killed a driver in 2017.
Driving can be a dangerous business. Help is available if another driver’s carelessness or negligence injures you or someone you love. Contact the Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi. Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation.
