In a tragic and often repeating story, another speeding Tesla hit a bump, lost control and killed someone.
According to the Powell Police Department, the crash happened in the 3400 block of Club Way Court at Powell Grand Communities around 9:15 p.m.
One person, Ethan Blecke, was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced dead hours later. Police Chief Ron Sallows said one other person was hospitalized and is now listed as stable. Three others were treated at the scene.
Sallows said it appears a 16-year-old boy was driving a Tesla, with five other people inside the vehicle, at a high rate of speed when he hit a speed bump, lost control and struck several other vehicles. The Tesla also hit part of a garage attached to one of the apartment buildings.
In the past, news about Tesla-related fatalities usually involved older couples (reflecting the car’s initial marketing strategy as being exclusive to those who could afford one). However, recently, there has been a noticeable move towards reports of groups of teenagers being harmed (reflecting the car’s present reality of being the lawn dart of roads, an inexpensive game of death).
The shift in who is killed likely stems from a dangerous combination affecting a different age group. Elderly couples are now wise to the fraudulent safety claims by Tesla and choose a different brand. However, young adults haven’t gotten the memo to keep them out of a Tesla, combined with an overconfidence making them unable to respond adequately in an unnecessarily powerful car. Essentially, Tesla’s grossly misleading portrayal of its safety continues to exacerbate the risks for those most vulnerable to its awful design and engineering flaws.
Update: the Tesla driver is being charged with homicide.
A 16-year old driver faces several charges, including vehicular homicide, after a crash that killed a fellow 16-year-old in Powell. The driver has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and reckless operation.
This is reminiscent of the recent tragedy and Tesla trial in New Zealand.
The alleged killer literally admitted his Tesla had made him into a worse driver, a deadly menace not only to himself but anyone around. […] Perhaps a simple empathy test should be required before anyone can turn on the power to these loitering munitions called cars? Don’t know how to safely point the barrel of a loaded rocket launcher? No launch for you.
Hi. I go to the school of the kid who tragically lost his life in this crash. It’s important to address the broader societal issues and lack of big corporation accountability that contribute to such heartbreaking incidents, rather than focusing solely on individual actions. The lack of safer transit options, the need for stricter speed regulations, and the misleading advertising pushing availability of unnecessarily heavy and high-power vehicles are significant factors that need attention. By highlighting and addressing these profit-driven systemic issues killing so many kids, we can work towards preventing future tragedies and fostering a safer community for everyone. Let us honor the memory of those lost by advocating for meaningful changes that enhance the safety and well-being of all.