White Plains, NY – A tragic Tesla crash in White Plains, New York, on Monday morning, resulted in a fiery explosion that claimed the lives of two women and injured a bystander. The accident occurred around 9:10 a.m. when the Tesla vehicle veered off the road, jumped a curb, and crashed into an apartment building, eventually exploding like “a bomb,” according to witnesses.
Victims identified
The victims have been identified as Millie Sheehan, the wife of a city councilman from a nearby city, and her 36-year-old daughter-in-law, Diana Sheehan. The two women were returning from dropping off Millie’s grandchildren at school when the crash occurred. Both women were unable to escape the burning vehicle, according to police reports.
White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong confirmed the fatalities, saying, “It’s just a terrible, terrible accident.” The apartment building, unoccupied at the time of the crash, sustained significant damage as the car embedded itself deep into the structure.
Tesla explodes after crash
After the Tesla was removed from the apartment, it exploded, sending debris flying and injuring a nearby pedestrian. The injured individual was taken to the hospital, but no updates on their condition have been provided.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, with no clear answers yet as to why the Tesla left the road. The incident has raised questions about the safety of Tesla vehicles, which have been involved in several high-profile accidents in recent years.
Ongoing investigation
Emergency responders revealed the challenge of removing the Tesla from the building, stating that a truck had to be used to extract the vehicle before firefighters could properly extinguish both the car and building fires. The intense heat and damage complicated rescue efforts.
Larry Armstrong, a resident in the area, recounted hearing a loud bang before being evacuated. “A police officer came in to tell everyone to evacuate the building,” Armstrong said. “When I saw the car engulfed in flames and someone laying on the sidewalk, I knew something was horribly wrong.”
Councilman Sheehan Mourns Family Loss
The tragedy has deeply affected Councilman Francis Sheehan, who released a heartfelt statement about the loss of his wife and daughter-in-law. “This is the worst possible nightmare imaginable. We are still in shock. They were wonderful and kind people,” he shared through ABC affiliate WABC-TV. “Everyone loved them, for good reason.”
The councilman expressed how close-knit his family is, stating that Diana and Millie played an integral role in their daily lives. “We saw her every day. They moved next door to us. We are that close a family. We eat together, and Millie babysat our four grandchildren daily. Diana loved all our grandkids as her own,” he added.
Tesla’s safety record under scrutiny
This incident comes just months after Tesla recalled 1.8 million vehicles due to a hood issue that could lead to crashes. While it’s unclear if this particular recall is connected to Monday’s crash, Tesla has faced increasing scrutiny over its safety features, especially regarding its self-driving technology and battery fires. As investigations continue, questions remain about the safety of Tesla’s electric vehicles and the circumstances surrounding this fatal crash.
Zaneta Williams, the resident of the apartment struck by the Tesla, expressed her relief at not being home during the accident. “I left about 15 to 20 minutes before it happened to go to work,” she told reporters. “My son’s room is the one that was fully blown out, but he’s back in college, so thank God he wasn’t here, and no one was in the house.” The crash has left the community in shock as authorities work to piece together what went wrong.