No One Driving Tesla in Fatal Crash - Map of Location in Texas

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) -- Two people died in a fiery crash involving a 2019 Tesla Model S and its autopilot functionality while taking it for a test drive on Saturday night, according to authorities.

Constable Mark Herman said one person was found in the front passenger seat and another in the back seat. Both died in the fire.

The flames reportedly took hours to extinguish, and Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said the investigation has led them to believe that there was no one driving the car when the crash occurred.

The crash happened just after 9 p.m. on Hammock Dunes Place in the Carlton Woods Creekside subdivision. The victims were said to have been two men who were 59 and 69 years old, however police have not released their names yet.

Firefighters and medics were called to the scene after reports of an explosion in the woods after the Tesla ran off the road, authorities said.

The Tesla was traveling from a cul-de-sac on Hammock Dunes Place and did not negotiate a curve. The vehicle crashed into a tree before bursting into flames.  

Constable Herman said the 2019 Tesla Model S was traveling on a roadway and at some point, the vehicle, which deputies said was traveling at a high rate of speed, came to a slight curve. Deputies say the car went off the roadway, crashed into a tree and burst into flames.

Crews found two bodies inside the vehicle, a man in the front passenger seat and another man in the back passenger seat.

The batteries on board the Tesla continued to ignite despite efforts to douse the flames, authorities said. It reportedly took around four hours and more than 30,000 gallons of water before firefighters decided to let the fire burn itself out.

KPRC 2 reporter Deven Clarke spoke to one man’s brother-in-law who said he was taking the car out for a spin with his best friend, so there were just two in the vehicle. The owner, he said, backed out of the driveway, and then may have hopped in the back seat only to crash a few hundred yards down the road. He said the owner was found in the back seat upright.

Read local news reports. 

Read the comments on Reddit for possible reasons.

No One Driving Tesla in Fatal Crash - Map of Location in Texas from r/SelfDrivingCars

Top 10 Causes of Death Among People Ages 15-29 Years

Over 1.2 million people die each year on the world’s roads, with millions more sustaining serious injuries and living with long-term adverse health consequences. Globally, road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among young people and the main cause of death among those aged 15–29 years.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 years.

There are several reasons why road traffic accidents pose a significant risk to young people. Some factors include:

Inexperience: Young drivers often have less experience behind the wheel, which can lead to poor judgment, lack of anticipation of hazards, and inadequate decision-making skills while driving.

Risky behavior: Young people are more likely to engage in risky behaviors while driving, such as speeding, distracted driving (e.g., texting or talking on the phone), drunk driving, and not wearing seat belts. These behaviors increase the chances of accidents and fatalities.

Peer pressure: Peer influence can play a role in encouraging risky behavior on the road. Young drivers may feel compelled to take risks or show off in front of their friends, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Lack of seat belt use: Many young people neglect to wear seat belts while driving or riding as passengers. Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries in the event of a crash, and the absence of seat belt usage can be particularly dangerous for young people.

Addressing the issue of road traffic accidents among young people requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes:

Education and awareness: Promoting road safety education programs targeted at young people to increase their awareness of the risks and consequences of unsafe driving behaviors.

Enforcing traffic laws: Implementing strict traffic laws and enforcing them effectively to deter risky behavior on the road. This includes measures such as speed limits, seat belt laws, and penalties for drunk driving.

Graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs: Graduated licensing systems that gradually introduce young drivers to more complex driving situations and restrictions on high-risk activities can help reduce accidents among novice drivers.

Technology and infrastructure improvements: Implementing advanced safety features in vehicles, such as electronic stability control, collision avoidance systems, and improved road infrastructure, can help prevent accidents and minimize the severity of injuries.

Efforts to address road traffic accidents among young people should involve collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, parents, and the community at large to create a safer driving environment and instill responsible behavior on the road.

Read more