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A Tesla Model 3 crash Tuesday night sent battery cells to nearby homes, which started at least one fire, police in Corvallis, Oregon reported.
Corvallis Police Department
Dylan Milota, 21, was driving the car through a residential area at around 100 mph when it struck and overturned a utility pole and two trees, police said.
Corvallis Police Department
The impact was so severe that the electric car’s battery tore and hundreds of cylindrical cells inside escaped. Tesla’s pack consists of around 3,000 to 4,400 cells, depending on the model.
(Corvallis Police Department)
Police said some of the cells landed in someone’s lap while they were in bed and set the bedding on fire.
NHTSA EXTENDS ITS INVESTIGATION OF FAILURE OF TESLA SECURITY FEATURE
Milota fled the scene with minor injuries but was captured nearby and charged with driving under the influence of marijuana, hit-and-run, criminal mischief, reckless driving and reckless endangerment, said the Police Lieutenant Eaton.
(Corvallis Police Department)
Police warned residents that despite the emergency crew’s cleanup efforts, there may still be potentially toxic and dangerous cells in the area near the intersection of NW Walnut and NW Fairlawn boulevards.
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Tesla apparently no longer has a functioning press office to respond to requests for comment and CEO Elon Musk has not said anything about the incident on social media.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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