Four people lost their lives in western France late Saturday when a Tesla electric vehicle caught fire under unknown circumstances, according to prosecutors on Sunday. The tragic accident occurred near Niort, claiming the lives of the driver and three passengers, all of whom were employees at a nearby restaurant in Melle.
A local judge informed AFP that an investigation has been launched to determine the causes and circumstances of the fatal incident, which will include a technical examination of the vehicle. Preliminary reports indicate that the Tesla was traveling at high speed and collided with multiple road signs before the fire broke out. By the time emergency responders arrived, the passengers were already deceased.
Tesla, the electric car manufacturer led by billionaire CEO Elon Musk, has often faced scrutiny regarding safety concerns. In April, the company settled with the family of an engineer who died in a 2018 crash involving a Tesla Model X in Silicon Valley, thus avoiding a trial. The driver of that vehicle was using the autopilot feature when it collided with a concrete median.
Additionally, in December, Tesla recalled over two million vehicles across the United States and Canada due to risks associated with its autopilot software, which was deemed to pose an “increased risk of a collision,” according to US national regulators.
