A driver has died in a crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck. The vehicle left the road, burst into flames, and the driver was killed. This incident marks the first fatality of a driver in this electric pickup model.
Looking back at the launch of the Tesla Cybertruck
Five years ago, in November 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduced the world to the Tesla Cybertruck, an electric pickup truck with a revolutionary design. The vehicle immediately attracted attention with its bold and unique appearance, defying market conventions.
Elon Musk has made numerous claims about the Cybertruck, including that the truck is “indestructible.” These claims have been widely discussed and debated, including the one about the supposedly indestructible steel panels and the vehicle's ability to navigate water like a boat.
A controversial demonstration
During the 2019 presentation, Elon Musk had an employee throw a steel ball at the driver's window, which was supposed to be bulletproof. To everyone's surprise, the glass cracked. The incident quickly went viral on social media, including on X (formerly Twitter), a platform owned by Musk.
Due to various issues and delays, the first units of the Tesla Cybertruck took four years to arrive on American roads. Since then, several drivers and influencers have tested the vehicle's robustness, often with less impressive results than those initially presented.
Tesla Cybertruck: driver dies in first fatal crash https://t.co/kkJ01xZ56Z by @fredericlambert
— Electrek.co (@ElectrekCo) August 5, 2024
A fatal accident
Currently, there are between 15,000 and 20,000 Tesla Cybertrucks in circulation, although Tesla has not provided official figures. The most serious accident to date occurred recently, resulting in the death of the driver. The accident took place in Chambers County, Texas, according to the Texas State Police.
The driver lost control of the Cybertruck for reasons that are still unknown, leaving the road and hitting a concrete pipe. The vehicle then caught fire. It remains to be determined whether the driver died from the impact or the flames, possibly being trapped inside the vehicle due to the damage.
Questions about Cybertruck safety
According to Electrek, a website specializing in electric mobility, this accident is the first involving a fatality with the Tesla Cybertruck. The site also points out that Tesla has not yet revealed the safety data of the Cybertruck and has not allowed independent testing on the vehicle until now.
The tragedy raises questions about the safety of new electric vehicles and the importance of independent testing to ensure drivers and passengers are protected.
The Future of the Tesla Cybertruck
Despite this tragic incident, the Tesla Cybertruck continues to attract attention for its design and technological innovations. Drivers and car enthusiasts are closely monitoring the developments of this model and the safety measures that Tesla could implement in the future to avoid such accidents.
The Cybertruck remains a symbol of Tesla's electric vehicle ambitions, but the crash is a reminder of the critical importance of safety in automotive innovation.