Hypothesis: the driver stepping on the accelerator caused the high acceleration.
After crashing into the tree, the driver tries the front door (which was damaged and fails to open). When the fire starts, the driver then moves to the rear seats, hoping to escape through the back doors.
Then the driver dies to the flames, unable to open even the rear doors. (Either due to ignorance to the back-latch, or due to the damage the rear-doors took during the crash).
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Remember, the Model S is a complicated electronic lock on both the front and rear doors. The safety issues associated with messing with door handles are well known, but you know... Tesla's want to be special.
> This was in a quiet residential cul-de-sac, too.
EDIT: So was Tiger Woods's car. But rich people with fast cars like to go 87mph on residential roads. Its an unfortunately common situation.
"The names of the two crash victims, a 69-year old man, and a 59-year old man, were not immediately released by authorities."
This was in a quiet residential cul-de-sac, too.
What can cause high acceleration with no one in the driver's seat?