Tesla Faces Backlash After Locking Baby in Car on 109-Degree Day
A mother in California found herself in a terrifying situation last week when her child was accidentally locked inside her Tesla while it was charging on a scorching 109-degree day. Kassandra Pineda was left helpless as she realized her 13-month-old baby boy was trapped inside the sweltering car with no way to open the vehicle. With the temperature rising rapidly, Pineda and a bystander were forced to take drastic measures to rescue the child.
Desperate Attempt to Save the Child
The harrowing incident took place at a Tesla charging point in the San Fernando Valley on Monday, September 9. After plugging her car into the charger, Pineda was shocked to discover that the car doors had locked with her baby still inside. Panic set in as she frantically tried to unlock the car, banging on windows and calling for help in a desperate attempt to free her child from the escalating heat inside the vehicle.
According to Fox 11 news in Los Angeles, the temperature outside was a scorching 109 degrees, making the inside of the car unbearably hot. Kassandra Pineda recalled, “It was hot. The last time I checked the monitor, it was 109 degrees outside, so I can’t even imagine how hot it was inside.” The situation became increasingly dire as Pineda pleaded with bystanders, including Adrian Ortega, to break the window and rescue her baby.
Ortega described the tense moments, stating, “She was all over the place, just saying, ‘My baby, my baby, my baby, please break the window, break the window.’” Both Ortega and Pineda spent eight agonizing minutes trying to open the car or find a way to break a window to reach the child trapped inside. Finally, Ortega resorted to using a fishing weight to shatter a window and gain access to the distressed child.
Seeking Answers from Tesla
Following the traumatic incident, Kassandra Pineda reached out to Tesla to understand what had caused the car to lock with her child inside. However, the automaker has provided little explanation or resolution so far. Initially, Tesla suggested that a software update might have triggered the issue, but upon inspecting the vehicle, they found no apparent faults with the car.
Moreover, Pineda was shocked to discover that the footage captured by her Tesla’s Sentry Mode, which could have shed light on the rescue attempt, had been mysteriously wiped from the car’s memory. This revelation added to the frustration and confusion surrounding the incident, leaving Pineda with more questions than answers about the safety of her vehicle and the well-being of her child.
A Disturbing Trend
Unfortunately, this is not the first time a Tesla owner has faced a terrifying ordeal involving a child trapped inside a car. In June, another incident occurred where a young child was locked inside a Tesla EV after the car’s nine-volt battery died, leaving no alternative means to open the doors. These alarming situations raise serious concerns about the safety features and mechanisms of Tesla vehicles, prompting calls for greater accountability and transparency from the company.
As the investigation into the incident continues, Kassandra Pineda and concerned parents around the world are left grappling with the unsettling reality of a technology-driven mishap that jeopardized the life of a child. The urgent need for enhanced safety protocols and emergency measures in electric vehicles like Tesla’s is underscored by these distressing events, urging stakeholders to prioritize the well-being and security of occupants, especially vulnerable children.
In conclusion, the incident involving a child locked inside a Tesla on a scorching day serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers and shortcomings of advanced automotive technology. As the industry evolves and electric vehicles become more prevalent on the roads, ensuring the safety and protection of passengers, particularly children, must remain a top priority for automakers and regulators alike. The repercussions of such incidents are profound, leaving a lasting impact on families and communities, emphasizing the critical need for continuous improvement and vigilance in vehicle safety standards.