Tesla Reached 116 MPH In Fiery Crash That Killed Aventura Teen

AVENTURA, FL — The Tesla involved in a fiery wreck that killed an Aventura teenager and his classmate days before their high school graduation reached speeds of 116 mph, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation and Safety Board. The teens were traveling in a Tesla S that slammed into a concrete wall and burst into flames in May. The NTSB is conducting an investigation into the crash primarily because the Tesla was equipped with an electric battery.

"According to data obtained from the Tesla’s restraints control module (RCM), approximately 3 seconds before the collision, the vehicle was traveling 116 mph," the agency said. "Two seconds before impact, the car was traveling 108 mph when the driver applied the brakes and increased the steering angle, at which point the stability control engaged."

NTSB said that the car's speed had decreased to 86 mph at the time the RCM deployed air bags and restraint pretensioners.

"The brake pedal was still depressed, and a larger steering input had been applied. The RCM also showed that both the driver and the front seat passenger were restrained at the time of the crash," the report found.

The investigation will also focus on the procedures used to extinguish the battery fire and to remove and store the car following the crash.

"All aspects of the crash remain under investigation as the NTSB determines the probable cause with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes," the agency said. "The NTSB is working in partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department."

The crash occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on May 8 in the 1300 block of Seabreeze Boulevard, according to Fort Lauderdale police, which reported at the time of the crash that speed was suspected.

Eighteen-year-old Edgar Monserratt Martinez of Aventura was identified as the front-seat passenger in the gray 2014 Tesla. The driver was identified as Barrett Riley of Fort Lauderdale. Riley was several weeks away from celebrating his 19th birthday.

Both teenagers were declared dead at the scene of the crash, according to Detective Tracy Figone of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, who said that a third teenager survived the crash. Riley and Martinez were seniors at the Pine Crest School, which has campuses in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale.

"The backseat passenger was ejected from the vehicle on impact and transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment," Figone said at the time. He was identified as 18-year-old Alexander Berry of Fort Lauderdale.

Pine Crest School officials said at the time they were helping fellow students through the grieving process.

"This is a phone call that no one ever wants," school president Dana Markham said after the crash. "I'm a parent and a grandparent, a teacher and part of this Pine Crest community. And our hearts just break for the families."

In March, Tesla announced a recall involving a power steering component in all Model S vehicles built before April of 2016. But the automaker said there had been no "injuries or accidents" as a result of the issue.

"We have observed excessive corrosion in the power steering bolts, though only in very cold climates, particularly those that frequently use calcium or magnesium road salts, rather than sodium chloride (table salt)," according to the automaker. "Nonetheless, Tesla plans to replace all early Model S power steering bolts in all climates worldwide to account for the possibility that the vehicle may later be used in a highly corrosive environment."

Major investigations and those involving fatalities, generally take 12 to 24 months to complete, according to NTSB.

Seabreeze Boulevard had a posted speed of 30 mph at the crash location. The road has two northbound and two southbound lanes divided by a center turn lane.

"At the crash location, the roadway curves to the left," NTSB reported. "The approach to the curve has an advance warning sign denoting a left-hand curve, augmented by a flashing beacon and a posted advisory speed of 25 mph."

Fort Lauderdale first responders used between 200 to 300 gallons of foam and water to extinguish the flames.

The NTSB gave the following account of the crash:

"Tesla driver maneuvered into the left lane to pass another vehicle and lost control of the car while attempting to move back into the right lane. The Tesla then struck and mounted the west side curb, crossed the sidewalk, and continued south, striking a wall in front of a residence. The car continued forward and struck the wall a second time on the south side of the driveway. Several witnesses reported that the Tesla erupted in flames after the second collision.

"The Tesla re-entered the roadway, mounted the curb on the opposite side of the street, struck a metal light pole, and came to rest in the driveway of an adjacent residence. Both the driver and the front seat passenger died. The rear seat passenger was ejected, injured, and transported to a local hospital."

Fort Lauderdale police were asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or taken video to contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Paul Williams at 954-828-5755.

The Tesla S reached speeds of 116 mph, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation and Safety Board. Photo courtesy NTSB.