Fatal Tesla Crash on Upper East Side's FDR Drive

Early Tuesday morning, a speeding Tesla crashed on the FDR Drive near the 71st Street exit, resulting in a tragic accident. The impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames.

<img src="https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/15863463_020425-wabc-deadly-fdr-crash-img.jpg" alt="Driver killed, passenger hurt after fiery Tesla crash on FDR Drive">

The incident:

• A white Tesla traveling northbound at high speed lost control and struck a guardrail.
• Both the driver and passenger were ejected from the vehicle.
• The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
• The 26-year-old male passenger suffered serious injuries and was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital - Cornell Burn Unit where he was stabilized.

Aftermath:

• The FDR Drive was closed for several hours, causing major traffic delays.
• Witness accounts reported the Tesla traveling at extremely high speeds – estimates reaching 120-130 mph.
• Firefighters faced challenges extinguishing the fire due to the Tesla's lithium-ion battery.

<img src="https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/15863857_020425-wabc-passenger-hurt-img.jpg" alt="">

The dangers of lithium-ion batteries:

Officials highlighted the significant hazards posed by lithium-ion batteries in vehicles, emphasizing the intense heat and difficulty in extinguishing such fires.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.