LOS GATOS — A driver died early Friday when their Tesla caught fire after hitting a tree off Highway 17, authorities said.
The collision occurred around 12:26 a.m., when the car, northbound on the highway south of Lark Avenue, swerved onto the right shoulder for an unknown reason, said Officer Alicia Moreno with the California Highway Patrol’s San Jose office.
The vehicle, a Tesla Model 3 with a single occupant, continued down the embankment and collided with a tree, Moreno said. The Tesla then became fully engulfed in flame with the driver still inside.
Authorities do not yet know whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision, Moreno said. It was also not known whether the Tesla’s autonomous driving capabilities were in use at the time of the crash.
The driver’s identity will be released by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office after confirmation of the name and notification of next of kin.
The incident remains under investigation. All lanes of the roadway were reopened Friday morning.