Tesla's "Futuristic" Door-Handles Blamed For Killing 48-Year-Old Man Trapped In Burning Wreck

Joseph James

Joseph James

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Oman Awan was driving his leased Tesla in February when he lost control of the vehicle on a South Florida parkway and slammed into a palm tree. A police officer who responded to the scene was unable to open the doors to free Awan because the handles were retracted and bystanders were forced to watch "helplessly" as the car filled with smoke and flames,according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in state court in Broward County.

Tesla's "Futuristic" Door-Handles Blamed For Killing 48-Year-Old Man Trapped In Burning Wreck
 
Joseph James said:
Oman Awan was driving his leased Tesla in February when he lost control of the vehicle on a South Florida parkway and slammed into a palm tree. A police officer who responded to the scene was unable to open the doors to free Awan because the handles were retracted and bystanders were forced to watch "helplessly" as the car filled with smoke and flames,according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in state court in Broward County.

Tesla's "Futuristic" Door-Handles Blamed For Killing 48-Year-Old Man Trapped In Burning Wreck
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With the number of these cars that have caught fire after being crashed, Tesla should have a "Direct Cremation" agreement as part of the rental contract.

Dave
 
Joseph James said:
A police officer who responded to the scene was unable to open the doors
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Hmmm... Most cars have self locking power locks these days, so just walking up and opening the door isn't gonna happen even if they were driving a 10 year old Chevy Impala. The cop should have broken the windows just like any other car.

Something isn't being reported here. I'll bet the car was fully engulfed by the time anyone got there and no one could get near it.
 
Star
Big_John said:
Hmmm... Most cars have self locking power locks these days, so just walking up and opening the door isn't gonna happen even if they were driving a 10 year old Chevy Impala. The cop should have broken the windows just like any other car.

Something isn't being reported here. I'll bet the car was fully engulfed by the time anyone got there and no one could get near it.
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I agree. That’s strange you aggressively pull someone thru the window if they’re burning.
 
Big_John said:
Hmmm... Most cars have self locking power locks these days, so just walking up and opening the door isn't gonna happen even if they were driving a 10 year old Chevy Impala. The cop should have broken the windows just like any other car.

Something isn't being reported here. I'll bet the car was fully engulfed by the time anyone got there and no one could get near it.
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My wife (insurance agent) said the same thing you did. She wonders why they didn’t try to knock a window out.

Probably was fully engulfed. Article states it reignited several times.
 
I have a specific tool designed to cut through seat belt webbing and break auto glass to get out in case of an emergency. The officer should have had that tool. It's almost a universal part of their kit, at least in our area.
 
as pointed out above....my hyundai has door handles..always accessible....but they wont help because the car locks automatically for safety...BREAK A WINDOW....you know....with the tool ALL firefighters have for breaking windows....
 
swisherred said:
as pointed out above....my hyundai has door handles..always accessible....but they wont help because the car locks automatically for safety...BREAK A WINDOW....you know....with the tool ALL firefighters have for breaking windows....
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According to my firefighter nephew, these cars when damaged present a significant electrocution hazard. You can get fried just by touching the burning, shorted car without proper insulating equipment. Doubt the police carry that as part of their kit.

Dave
 
Davea Lux said:
According to my firefighter nephew, these cars when damaged present a significant electrocution hazard. You can get fried just by touching the burning, shorted car without proper insulating equipment. Doubt the police carry that as part of their kit.

Dave
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I can get that....but then the door handle wouldnt have helped anyway...have to touch it to open the door.
 
Does Tesla provide warning labels, training and or information to ALL first responders, firefighters and police to not touch a damaged car. As it may be an electrocution hazard or cause injury? What abt leasees or owners that may be involved in an accident and get out and come in contact with the car?
 
Newport 66 said:
Does Tesla provide warning labels, training and or information to ALL first responders, firefighters and police to not touch a damaged car. As it may be an electrocution hazard or cause injury? What abt leasees or owners that may be involved in an accident and get out and come in contact with the car?
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I do not think they have be sued enough yet to be doing any of those things. Firefighters are given a basic course on electric cars and their potential dangers as part of their ongoing training. My nephew said that they have to be very careful with the jaws of life since pinching one of the big power cables can cause a short or a fire. They are supposed to cut power from the electric car batteries before doing any rescue work. Most electric cars have a power disconnect, usually in the trunk of the vehicle. I imagine that if the car has been rear ended that it could be a major PIA to get the trunk open. And if the damn thing is already on fire the occupants may well be in a world of hurt.

Dave
 
Davea Lux said:
I do not think they have be sued enough yet to be doing any of those things. Firefighters are given a basic course on electric cars and their potential dangers as part of their ongoing training. My nephew said that they have to be very careful with the jaws of life since pinching one of the big power cables can cause a short or a fire. They are supposed to cut power from the electric car batteries before doing any rescue work. Most electric cars have a power disconnect, usually in the trunk of the vehicle. I imagine that if the car has been rear ended that it could be a major PIA to get the trunk open. And if the damn thing is already on fire the occupants may well be in a world of hurt.

Dave
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you would think it’s possible to engineer a disconnecting means operable like a modern fuel pump shutoff.
 
Joseph James said:
you would think it’s possible to engineer a disconnecting means operable like a modern fuel pump shutoff.
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I think an automated power disconnect that was activated by the air bags going off might be one possible solution. It probably would not stop a fire as the result of battery damage, but it might mitigate the electrocution hazard.

Dave
 
live4theking said:
I cannot stand this with new cars. If people are so paranoid they can lock their own doors.
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That's a feature that seems to be the default mode, and very few people go in and customize their settings. I spent about 15 minutes scrolling through all my settings (lights, wipers, locks, etc.) when I got my new cars.
 
Joseph James said:
Oman Awan was driving his leased Tesla in February when he lost control of the vehicle on a South Florida parkway and slammed into a palm tree. A police officer who responded to the scene was unable to open the doors to free Awan because the handles were retracted and bystanders were forced to watch "helplessly" as the car filled with smoke and flames,according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in state court in Broward County.

Tesla's "Futuristic" Door-Handles Blamed For Killing 48-Year-Old Man Trapped In Burning Wreck
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I believe I predicted this in a thread when these cars first came out... Common sense people.
 
Do the windows not break? most officers either carry a snap punch or a hammer.


Alan
 
Probably crashed into the Palm tree because he was looking at the giant TV screen on his dash. Which ironically probably warned him prior to impact.
 
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