California: Fiery Tesla Model X Crash Kills 1, Injures 3 in Hollywood

A woman died, and three others were injured in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, early Monday when a Tesla Model X crashed and burst into flames, police said.

According to Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Police Department said the vehicle veered off the road on Sunset Boulevard around 2:30 a.m. and struck a lamp post and a tree before getting caught on fire.

Lt. J. Aguirre of the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station noted that the burning wreckage was spotted near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Roxbury Road, over the border between Los Angeles and West Hollywood. It was also about a block south of the famous Chateau Marmont hotel.

The Los Angeles Police Department said a female passenger in the vehicle's front seat was killed, while the two female passengers in the rear were injured and were brought to hospitals.

One female was listed as stable, while the other was critical. The man driving the Tesla Model X got out and was picked up by the driver of another car, who also took him to the hospital.

"Investigators found the driver at a local hospital," the LAPD said. "That driver is currently in critical condition and unable to be interviewed."

Tesla Model X Involved in Hollywood Car Crash in California

A witness saw some debris fly in the air, and the car caught fire before landing and damaging the patio of Pink Taco restaurant.

According to a witness, there were people trapped inside, and at least five individuals came in to help them, but the Tesla X burst into flames, ABC 7 reported.

"I started hearing pops and sparks fly out of the vehicle," said witness John Haro, adding that the flames got bigger and engulfed the car.

After being closed all morning, the area around the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Roxbury Road has since been reopened.

The cause of the crash is still unknown, but locals said they are used to seeing motorists speed through the area.

"You hear the engine roaring going by superfast supercars; they sound like jet engines," said Jimmy Wood, who lives in the area. "It's pretty consistent."

Tesla's Autopilot Feature Could be the Reason Behind Crashes, Probe Shows

Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its preliminary findings from its investigation into a February 18 crash between a Tesla and a parked firetruck on Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek, California.

The probe speculated that the driver may have used the vehicle's autonomous driving system, KRON 4 reported.

The Tesla crashed into a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District engine that was serving as a traffic safety barrier to shield paramedics from oncoming traffic at the scene of a prior crash.

The 2014 Tesla Model S driver was killed, a passenger was critically wounded, and four firefighters were hurt, but none seriously.

The NHTSA has special accident investigation teams looking into 51 crashes across the country, including 16 that resulted in fatalities, as of February 18.

According to Tesla, autopilot is included in all new models at no extra cost. Detectives want to know how the autopilot detects and navigates around emergency vehicles on highways.

Vehicles on highways are usually traveling at a faster speed.

This is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Bystanders Tried to Rescue Victims, But Tesla Burst Into Flames in Deadly West Hollywood Crash - From ABC7