Speed was likely a factor behind the seven-car, rollover crash that killed one man and injured three people in Huntington Beach, police said Wednesday based on their preliminary investigation.
The Huntington Beach Police Department said the traffic collision that happened Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Heil Avenue and Goldenwest Street was likely caused by a gray Tesla Model 3, which was traveling eastbound on Heil Avenue at a high rate of speed.
After the driver lost control of the vehicle at the intersection and crashed into several cars, the Tesla rolled over several times before coming to a stop.
Dashcam video also captured the moment the Tesla rammed into another car coming from the opposite direction.
“I had looked up in front and saw a car flying down, going pretty good speed,” said George Spaulding, whose dash cam captured the crash.
“What are you doing? What would you even go that fast?” said Lori Sanchez, Spaulding’s wife. “What was he doing, going so fast, cutting off all these cars?”
The debris from the collision also struck and graze other vehicles in the area, Huntington Beach police said.
The driver of the Tesla was identified as 37-year-old Ryan Mark Larson of Huntington Beach. He was prounounced dead at the scene.
It was not immediately clear whether drugs or alcohol also contributed to the collision.
Three people who were injured in the collision were in stable condition.
Among those who were hurt were two Orange County probation officers, according to the county. One of the officers was hospitalized.
No arrests were made.
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