- Speed was a factor in the crash of a Tesla Model X that sent three teenagers to the hospital, police said.
- The Tesla Model X hit a tree in southern New Hampshire before splitting in two and catching on fire.
- One passenger sustained life-threatening injuries, according to the accident report, and was transported to a UMass hospital.
- Despite some headline-making fires, the Tesla Model X has a near-perfect safety rating.
Three teenagers were injured after driving a 2017 Tesla Model X off the road and into a tree in southern New Hampshire on Wednesday, according to state police.
Speed was likely a factor, according to the accident report, and caused the car to split in two and catch fire after impact. The driver and one passenger were taken to a community hospital with "serious but non-life threatening injuries," while the third passenger was taken to Mass Worcester Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Photos from the rural road show a massive fireball as well as a chunk of the vehicle that's nearly unidentifiable due to the damage. It's not clear if Autopilot was installed on the vehicle or if it was in use at the time.
Despite some headline-making fires, Tesla's Model X is one of the safest vehicles on the road, according to the US government as well as third-party testers.
A Tesla spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
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NEW: 3 teenagers hurt, one critically, when 2017 Tesla Model X crashed into a tree in Rindge, New Hampshire, split in 2 and caught fire. Pictures courtesy Michelle Barnhart #WBZ pic.twitter.com/FhroaG6xbH
- Jim Harrington (@jejharrington) December 27, 2018
3 Teens Injured After Tesla Split In Two During Fiery NH Crash https://t.co/Lp7sh0GW59 pic.twitter.com/Rk7LzGp476
- WBZ CBS Boston News (@wbz) December 27, 2018
Rindge PD and state police said the make and model of the car, which they wouldn't describe beyond "a hybrid type vehicle," were a fire hazard.
A fire was put out after first responders arrived, and the vehicle appears to be a Tesla. pic.twitter.com/CHlDeObgOo
- Jake Lahut (@JakeLahut) December 27, 2018