According to the taxi driver’s lawyer involved, the brake pedal remained blocked. A person died and 19 others were injured on Saturday, in the 13th arrondissement.
Le Monde with AFP
The Tesla electric taxi driver who caused a deadly accident in Paris was indicted, Wednesday, December 15, for “unintentional homicide and involuntary injury by motor vehicle”. He was placed under judicial review.
The G7 taxis company had announced on Monday to stop 37 electric vehicles of the same model (Model 3 of Tesla) that the taxi involved in this spectacular accident, which made a death and 19 wounded Saturday according to a last assessment. The manufacturer dismissed any technical failure.
“My client is really very shocked by the accident that has been special violence,” said France-Presse (AFP) the driver’s lawyer, Mr. Sarah Saldmann. “It’s an accident for him, he did everything to press the brake pedal who remained blocked and parallel the car wrapped up and rolled excessively quickly,” she added, reminding that the car was not equipped with a handbrake. The electric vehicle had been purchased nine “three months ago” and had not presented a difficulty until then, according to counsel.
The parquet, which had opened on Saturday a preliminary investigation, entrusted the investigations on Wednesday to investigating judges. The investigation should determine the causes of the accident, based on technical expertise.
Model 3, Tesla’s bestseller
Saturday night, the driver aged about fifty years was not in use. He circulated with his wife and daughters, depending on me Saldmann, when he lost control of his vehicle in the e Arrondissement of Paris.
The taxi spilled two pedestrians, then hit a glass container which, under the shock caused by the speed, was projected in the air before exploding on the ground. The vehicle then struck a traffic light. He finally completed his race in a truck in circulation in the middle of the crossroads, according to the story of a police source.
Tesla, who has access to certain technical data, assured that there was “no technical failure” of his car. Tesla Model 3 is the bestseller of the American manufacturer and one of the most sold electric cars in Europe. The vehicle is not autonomous, but is equipped with an assistance to driving on highway that requires keeping your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.