SKYLINE BOULEVARD, California — In a dramatic turn of events, Tesla’s highly anticipated stainless steel Cybertruck has encountered its first reported traffic accident in California, leaving a Toyota Corolla severely damaged. The incident marked a less-than-auspicious debut on the road for Elon Musk’s futuristic creation.
According to eyewitness accounts, the collision between the fully electric Cybertruck and the Toyota Corolla appeared to be a head-on impact, resulting in significant damage to the conventional sedan. Photographs from the scene depict the crumpled front end of the Toyota, with side airbags deployed and the vehicle resting on the side of the road.
The accident report indicated that the 17-year-old driver of the Toyota, traveling at an “unknown speed,” veered to the right, striking a dirt embankment on the right shoulder. Subsequently, the Toyota re-entered the roadway, crossed over double yellow lines into the northbound lane, and collided with the Tesla Cybertruck traveling north on SR-35.
Despite the severity of the collision, the only noted injury was a “suspected minor injury” to the Cybertruck driver, who declined medical transportation. The California Highway Patrol confirmed the details of the accident, revealing that the Cybertruck was carrying three occupants in their 30s at the time, dispelling any notions that the Tesla was in self-driving mode during the incident.
Surprisingly, the robust stainless steel construction of the Cybertruck seemed to live up to expectations, as the vehicle appeared relatively unscathed with deployed side-curtain airbags. Emergency responders from the California Highway Patrol arrived at the scene around 2:05 p.m. local time on Thursday, December 28, 2023 to assess and manage the aftermath.
The incident has reignited safety concerns raised by experts since the Cybertruck’s unveiling in November. With its cold-rolled, stainless-steel body panels, lauded for their ability to absorb impact during accidents, questions linger about the potential damage the unique steel structure and sharp design could cause in real-world crashes. As investigations into the accident continue, safety experts will undoubtedly scrutinize the collision to assess the true safety prowess of Tesla’s unconventional vehicle.
