Stolen Model S crashes after police pursuit. 7/4/14

[jak]

As terrible as this theft/accident was, what would the accident scene have looked like had the thieves stolen a Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle? A CNG vehicle? Would the building still be standing?
As far as horrific accident damage potential, I think the least dangerous is BEV, then diesel, gasoline, 3000psi CNG, and worst ?kPsi Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Somebody please correct me or comment if I am wrong.
I'd rather be in a Tesla Model S than a Humvee or any other car.

From what I understand, Toyota made their fuel cell tank bullet-proof because if that thing ever cracked or broke....

I'm not sure about the Model S's aluminum plating being bulletproof other than perhaps the recent titanium shield they added, but that shielding doesn't cover the whole underside.

 

[markwj]

From what I understand, Toyota made their fuel cell tank bullet-proof because if that thing ever cracked or broke....

I'm not sure about the Model S's aluminum plating being bulletproof other than perhaps the recent titanium shield they added, but that shielding doesn't cover the whole underside.

The Model S was ripped in half. I really doubt any tank could survive that. Certainly at the weak area of the valve and hose connections.

 

[Mario Kadastik]

With regard to seatbelt I remember some study saying that above a certain speed the probability of survival is higher without the belt because you get ejected from the car and may well land in a way that you are injured, but alive, yet if you were kept in the car the damage to the interior is likely to be so extensive that you'd die. So who knows, if they really crashed at 120mph or so, then being ejected might have been the thing that saved him.

And I agree that gradual slowdown of the car could easily be done safely. A kW limiter starting from 200kW going down to 10-20kW over 20s or so would so it as you'd be able to keep going and maneuver while not being able to accelerate hard. This would slow the car gradually down to manageable speeds and police could do their thing. But of course this should only happen in a police pursuit at request from the police to Tesla. Or well if I were Tesla I'd also do it when a car is stolen from my store/service center.

 

[hiroshiy]

Just 2 cents - kW limiter to something like 30kW can be instantaneous. 30kW is like 40hp? That's enough for dragging the car. Regen should be disabled upon activation. Once the driver brakes, it will never accelerate.

 

[artsci]

Indeed. In many other countries the police cars aren't even fast enough for high speed chases. There is almost never a need for that. And also no need to build in features to stop cars remotely.

+1. High speed chases anywhere are foolish. And the people who stole the car should be imprisoned for life -- they're murderers.

 

[GreenT]

I was referring to the 2 security cams that I highlighted on the exterior wall of the building.

Sorry ... but I see neither cameras nor highlights? Am I blind?

 

[TesAus]

Sorry ... but I see neither cameras nor highlights? Am I blind?

Find the small red sign near the collapsed light pole/man in hi vis jacket.

Go vertically up until you hit the brown coloured square with a grille in it.

Go left - there is a large light coloured circle - that is the highlight

in the centre of the circle are what appear to be CCTV cameras.

Either that or I am seeing things....!

 

[James Anders]

You might be blind... :smile:

 

[GreenT]

Oh that ... good spotting. Looks like top left is white camera pointing 45 degrees to the lower left, and maybe a birdseye white vertical blob, but odd angle for a camera, the latter, would be.
If they are functioning cameras, I might pay to see that footage.
Thanks! And my apologies for doubting you.
You could add some more red arrows!

 

[NigelM]

Mod Note: discussion of the other accident was moved here - Rear-Ender-accident-in-Palmdale-7-4-14

 

[mountaineer]

Model S accident in LA

Split in half: Tesla crash bolsters safety claims

 

[JRP3]

Positive spin on the incident: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...-crash-police-pursuit-split-in-half/12241871/

The horrific crash could bolster safety claims made last month by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

 

[Matias]

What a surprise twist. Reporter sees that this supports Tesla's safety claim... IMO this does not say anything about Tesla's safety, not good or bad.

 

[Shumdit]

Bad weekend for Tesla accidents.

LAPD: Stolen Tesla Involved in Police Pursuit Crashes Into Cars, Splits in Half in WeHo; Multiple People Injured | KTLA 5


3 Dead, 2 Hospitalized After Palmdale Crash; Highway 14 Closed in Both Directions | KTLA 5
(please note that the death mentioned was from the other car from what I understand and, but tragic regardless)

this article shows the impact must have been very high speed:

Three Family Members Dead After Tesla Crash in Palmdale | NBC Southern California

 

[JRP3]

I don't remember reading this piece of data:

Video of the crash showed that the other half of the of the car crashed into the side of a synagogue, ejecting the driver, who ended up wedged between the wall of the synagogue and the piece of the Model S.

Ouch.

http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/07/tesla-model-s-crash-in-west-hollywood/

 

[Shumdit]

Accidents are such freak things and so many variables are present that just one small variation can be the difference between life or death. For example how did rear hatch glass survive that impact?

 

[SteveG3]

With regard to seatbelt I remember some study saying that above a certain speed the probability of survival is higher without the belt because you get ejected from the car and may well land in a way that you are injured, but alive, yet if you were kept in the car the damage to the interior is likely to be so extensive that you'd die. So who knows, if they really crashed at 120mph or so, then being ejected might have been the thing that saved him.

Interesting point Mario, but as you say, we really don't know in this case, and we don't know if it's valid for the Model S, or recently built cars (the study may be on data that's outdated given changes in vehicle safety).

Many articles have at least suggested a passenger was in the Model S as well. It's not clear if he was one of the critically injured, but the articles I've seen have given me the impression the other person whose remained in the hospital was in the Honda, so we may well find out that there was a passenger with his/her belt on in the S who faired better than the driver.

 

[nleggatt]

252 on this video well look who is on the scene! Maybe I'm wrong lol. But he has the same shoes and same stance as elon

LAPD: Stolen Tesla Involved in Police Pursuit Crashes Into Cars, Splits in Half in WeHo; Multiple People Injured | KTLA 5

 

[Bgarret]

I've got to conditionally agree. It's something about how he stands and gestures at the front of the car....wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Beavis]

Elon in a suit? I am guessing the guy is a detective.